Lynchburg VA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 38.0 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 62.2% | 57.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Roanoke
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $52,671 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 28.9% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $279,668 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Roanoke
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Roanoke
1726
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 41.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.7% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 56.0°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 44.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 21.6 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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Lynchburg. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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