Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lynchburg
4.6%
Lynchburg +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 79,255 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 4.6% | Lynchburg + |
| White | 14.5% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 81.8% | 27.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $30,004 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $264,994 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.4% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. 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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