Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lynchburg
4.6%
Lynchburg +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 79,255 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 4.6% | Lynchburg + |
| White | 32.8% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 56.5% | 27.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.0% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $30,004 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $264,994 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 49.1% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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