Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 79,255 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 29.7% | 27.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 5.0% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $59,808 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $30,004 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 38.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.8% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Huntsville, AL vs New York, NYHuntsville, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntsville, ALHouston, TX vs Huntsville, ALHuntsville, AL vs Phoenix, AZHuntsville, AL vs Philadelphia, PA