Lynchburg VA vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 32.2 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 62.2% | 36.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $51,888 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $29,679 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,837 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 23.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 26.6% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 41.5% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 309 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 41.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.3% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, 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 +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 24.1 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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