Lynchburg VA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 37.9 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 62.2% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 27.7% | 5.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 33.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $441,257 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Manchester
12.9%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 44.6 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 25.7 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Lynchburg. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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