Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 100,905 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 11.7% | 44.6% | Lynn + |
| Black | 76.8% | 12.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lynn
23.3%
Lynn +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 23.3% | Lynn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $584,482 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lynn
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.8 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA