Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 79,255 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 4.6% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 2.0% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 2.2% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $59,808 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $30,004 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 17.4% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 38.5% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 37.1% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.9% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 9.1% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 41.5 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Irvine, CA vs New York, NYIrvine, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irvine, CAHouston, TX vs Irvine, CAIrvine, CA vs Phoenix, AZIrvine, CA vs Philadelphia, PA