Lynchburg VA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 33.9 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 62.2% | 54.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 24.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $52,512 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $29,511 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,697 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 22.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 29.4% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 370 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 39.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.3% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.2% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 21.6 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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