Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Lynn
35.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Lynn
42.5%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 100,905 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 35.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 44.6% | Lynn + |
| Black | 17.1% | 12.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 42.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Lynn
23.3%
Lynn +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 23.3% | Lynn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $584,482 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Lynn
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 326 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 33.8 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lynn. 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%.
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