Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
28.4
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 79,255 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 28.4 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 4.6% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 21.6% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $30,004 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 38.5% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
1726
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 37.1% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, 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 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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