Lynchburg VA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 37.3 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 62.2% | 59.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 10.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 33.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $496,966 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 37.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 31.1 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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