Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 79,255 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 4.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 6.7% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 5.0% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $59,808 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $30,004 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 49.1% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.8% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 41.5 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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