Lynchburg VA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 41.6 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 62.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 27.7% | 4.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 31.0% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $422,520 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 32.8 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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