Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 79,255 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 4.6% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 62.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 5.0% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $59,808 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $30,004 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 17.4% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 49.1% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.1% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 54.8°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 41.5 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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