Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Durham
44.0%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 79,255 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 4.6% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 34.4% | 27.7% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $59,808 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $30,004 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 17.4% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 38.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 49.1% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Durham, NC | 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
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.1% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.9% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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