Lynchburg VA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 35.7 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 62.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 27.7% | 1.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 31.4% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $438,754 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 41.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 24.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg 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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