Lynchburg VA vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 44,998 | Lynchburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 57.8 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 62.2% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 27.7% | 5.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $503,393 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 63.5°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 24.1 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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