Lynchburg VA vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 35.2 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 62.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 27.7% | 4.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 24.9% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $313,452 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 22.3% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 19.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 19.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 68.5°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
San Marcos
19.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 19.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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