Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 79,255 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 4.6% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 38.7% | 27.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $30,004 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 38.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $264,994 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 54.8°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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