Lynchburg VA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 36.2 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 62.2% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 4.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $55,687 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 20.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 33.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 46.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 64.5°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 52.8 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 22.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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%.
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