Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 79,255 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 4.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 29.0% | 27.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.0% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $59,808 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $30,004 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $264,994 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.1% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 41.5 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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