Lynchburg VA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 32.1 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 62.2% | 21.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 1.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $28,813 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 15.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $751,711 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 47.0% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 22.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 57.3°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 28.8 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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