Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 79,255 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 4.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 20.4% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.2% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 5.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $30,004 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $264,994 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 49.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 41.5 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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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