Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 79,255 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 4.6% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 62.2% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.2% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 5.0% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $59,808 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $30,004 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,581 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 38.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 37.1% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 11.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.4% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.1% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 54.8°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 41.5 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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