Lynchburg VA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 42.9 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 62.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 27.7% | 4.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $865,610 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 28.8% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 20.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 65.6°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 28.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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