Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 79,255 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 4.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 25.8% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.2% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 5.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $59,808 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $30,004 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 17.4% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $264,994 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
38.5%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 54.8°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 41.5 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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