Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 79,255 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 4.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 22.9% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 5.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $59,808 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $30,004 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. 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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