Lynchburg VA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 33.5 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 62.2% | 41.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $46,628 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 26.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 29.9% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 37.2% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 38.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.6% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 20.6 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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