Lynchburg VA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 40.2 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 62.2% | 44.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 37.6% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $399,650 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 75.4°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 62.3 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 25.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 West Palm Beach. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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