Lynchburg VA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 38.6 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 62.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 27.7% | 5.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $538,687 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 78.3 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 26.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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