Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 79,255 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 4.6% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 39.5% | 27.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.0% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $30,004 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 38.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $264,994 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.4% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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