Lynchburg VA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 36.6 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 62.2% | 45.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $55,279 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 45.4% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.8% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | 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
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 24.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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