Lynchburg VA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 32.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 62.2% | 44.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Norfolk
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 32.7% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $310,519 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 45.7% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Norfolk
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Norfolk
1726
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Norfolk
19.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 39.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.7% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 60.6°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 50.8 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 24.4 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Lynchburg. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Norfolk 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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