Atlanta GA vs Lynchburg VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 79,255 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 4.6% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 46.9% | 27.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.2% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 5.0% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $59,808 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $30,004 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 38.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.1% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
Compare More Cities
Atlanta, GA vs New York, NYAtlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAtlanta, GA vs Chicago, ILAtlanta, GA vs Houston, TXAtlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAtlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA