Lynchburg VA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 37.5 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 62.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 27.7% | 14.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.3% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $265,013 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 46.8% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 42.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 20.0 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, 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 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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