Lynchburg VA vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
New York
35.9%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 38.0 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 62.2% | 35.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 22.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $816,078 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 32.8% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
New York
1736
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
New York
11.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 55.4°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 46.6 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 44.2 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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