Chattanooga TN 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)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 79,255 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 4.6% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 28.6% | 27.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $59,808 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $30,004 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 49.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.4% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, 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 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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