Lynchburg VA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 34.8 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 62.2% | 16.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $48,416 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $25,509 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 10.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 24.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $482,675 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 24.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 23.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.2% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 54.9°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 46.3 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 35.9 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Lynchburg. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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