Lynchburg VA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 38.2 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 62.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 27.7% | 9.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $55,902 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 29.1% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 39.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lynchburg, VA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lynchburg, VAChicago, IL vs Lynchburg, VAHouston, TX vs Lynchburg, VALynchburg, VA vs Phoenix, AZLynchburg, VA vs Philadelphia, PA