Lynchburg VA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 34.7 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 62.2% | 53.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 27.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $435,807 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | 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%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 61.1°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 46.2 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 25.1 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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