Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 79,255 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 4.6% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 38.0% | 27.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 5.0% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $30,004 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $264,994 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
42.9%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.8% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 54.8°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 41.5 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. 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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