Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 100,905 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.8 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 57.6% | 44.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 12.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 23.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $584,482 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lynn
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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