Lynchburg VA vs Pomona 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 35.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 62.2% | 22.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 5.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $28,131 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 19.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $689,570 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, 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%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 65.0°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 34.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, 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 Pomona. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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