Lynchburg VA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 62.2% | 49.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $48,536 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 23.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 38.1% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 45.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 42.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 21.3% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.7% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 65.0°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 55.0 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 20.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. 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, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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