CostIndexUSA

Lynchburg, VA vs Richmond, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Lynchburg
89.4
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
VA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Lynchburg is moderately cheaper than Richmond — 9.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lynchburg, you would need $87,600 in Richmond. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+55.1%
Lynchburg
63.9
Richmond
99.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lynchburg
96.8
Richmond
96.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Lynchburg
103.5
Richmond
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Lynchburg
93.7
Richmond
93.7
Utilities+1.6%
Lynchburg
87.8
Richmond
89.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lynchburg to see what you'd need to earn in Richmond to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$87,600
$7,600 more needed in Richmond

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 89.4) = salary × 1.0951. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lynchburg, VA

Median Home Price
$277,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
63.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Richmond, VA

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
99.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2×

Richmond has 55.1% higher housing costs compared to Lynchburg.

Income & Job Market

Lynchburg, VA

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
82,168
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailGovernment

Richmond, VA

Median Household Income
$84,300
Per Capita Income
$48,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
226,610
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lynchburg, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Richmond, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.