Lynchburg VA vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
31.9
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 31.9 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 62.2% | 27.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 11.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $23,980 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 12.8% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $492,059 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 48.5% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, 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%
San Bernardino
37.1%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 37.1% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 20.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 30.7 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
Compare More Cities
Lynchburg, VA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lynchburg, VAChicago, IL vs Lynchburg, VAHouston, TX vs Lynchburg, VALynchburg, VA vs Phoenix, AZLynchburg, VA vs Philadelphia, PA