Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 100,905 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.8 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 54.8% | 44.6% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $74,715 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,083 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 23.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Lynn
$584,482
Lynn +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $584,482 | Lynn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.3% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 33.8 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while lynn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $584,482. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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