Lynchburg VA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Waco
29.2
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 29.2 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 62.2% | 54.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 20.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $51,468 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $28,819 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 24.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 28.6% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 48.9% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 20.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 66.6°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 19.7 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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