Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 100,905 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.8 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 58.3% | 44.6% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 6.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Lynn
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lynn
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $74,715 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $35,083 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 13.7% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 23.3% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $584,482 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 50.4% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.6% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.8% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.6% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 33.8 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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