Fayetteville 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 79,255 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 4.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 42.3% | 27.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $30,004 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $264,994 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
40.4%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. 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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