Lynchburg VA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 34.1 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 62.2% | 58.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 27.7% | 12.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 34.1% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $435,532 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 42.4% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.9% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 48.1 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 27.3 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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