Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 79,255 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.6% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 62.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $59,808 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $30,004 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 17.4% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 38.5% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 49.1% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Lynchburg
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Lynchburg
1726
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 240 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1726 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Lynchburg. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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