Lynchburg VA vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 37.6 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 62.2% | 21.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 17.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 32.6% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $608,357 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, 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%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 58.5°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 37.7 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Lynchburg, VA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lynchburg, VAChicago, IL vs Lynchburg, VAHouston, TX vs Lynchburg, VALynchburg, VA vs Phoenix, AZLynchburg, VA vs Philadelphia, PA