Lynchburg VA vs Wichita 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 35.7 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 62.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 27.7% | 9.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 30.9% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, 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 +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 39.5% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.3% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 57.0°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, 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
Lynchburg +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 20.2 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Wichita 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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