Lynchburg VA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 33.0 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 62.2% | 61.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 18.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,467 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $334,719 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 48.0% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 284 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1992 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 19.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 24.2 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, 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 284 in Minneapolis. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
Compare More Cities
Lynchburg, VA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lynchburg, VAChicago, IL vs Lynchburg, VAHouston, TX vs Lynchburg, VALynchburg, VA vs Phoenix, AZLynchburg, VA vs Philadelphia, PA