Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 79,255 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.6% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 62.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 5.0% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $30,004 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.4% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $264,994 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 49.1% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 54.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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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