Lynchburg VA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 35.6 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 62.2% | 51.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 21.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $376,530 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 73.4°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 46.3 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 26.8 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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