Albany NY vs Lynn MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 100,905 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 53.0% | 44.6% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 12.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $35,083 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 23.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $584,482 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Lynn
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.3% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.6% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, NY vs New York, NYAlbany, NY vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, NY vs Chicago, ILAlbany, NY vs Houston, TXAlbany, NY vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, NY vs Philadelphia, PA