Lynchburg VA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 47,823 | Lynchburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 36.8 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 27.7% | 1.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $50,294 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $28,418 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $53,141 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 24.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 19.6% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $362,476 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 834 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3177 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 55.7°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 19.1 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, 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 834 in Rio Rancho. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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