Lynchburg VA vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 33.5 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 62.2% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 27.7% | 22.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 4.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,080 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 47.2% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 319 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 25.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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