Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 79,255 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 4.6% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 62.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.2% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 5.0% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $59,808 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $30,004 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 17.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 49.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
1726
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 37.1% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.4% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, 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 324 in Clearwater. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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