Lynchburg VA vs Santa Clarita 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 Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 38.1 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 62.2% | 53.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 4.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $802,780 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, 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 Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 37.4 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Clarita. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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