Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 100,905 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 81.8% | 44.6% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $74,715 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $35,083 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 23.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Lynn
$584,482
Lynn +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $584,482 | Lynn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 33.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.3% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.8% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 33.8 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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