Lynchburg VA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 71,124 | Lynchburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 37.0 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 62.2% | 32.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $55,269 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $64,087 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 23.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 33.1% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $327,117 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 46.0% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 394 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1991 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 41.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 49.3 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | 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 +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 25.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, 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 394 in Wilmington. 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%.
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