Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 79,255 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 4.6% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 60.0% | 27.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.0% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $30,004 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $69,581 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $264,994 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
1726
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1726 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.4% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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