Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 79,255 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 4.6% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 62.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 5.0% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $59,808 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,004 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.0% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 38.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 37.1% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.4% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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