Lynchburg VA vs Madison WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 31.8 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 62.2% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 27.7% | 7.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,837 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $429,253 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 46.6% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 309 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 20.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 21.2 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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