Lynchburg VA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 34.3 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 62.2% | 39.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $54,550 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 28.0% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $313,219 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 48.5% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 19.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 26.8 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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