Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 100,905 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.8 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 39.1% | 44.6% | Lynn + |
| Black | 28.4% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $74,715 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $35,083 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 23.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $584,482 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.6% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.6% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Lynn
33.8 min
Lynn +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 33.8 min | Lynn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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