Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Houston
35.5%
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lynn
42.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 100,905 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.8 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 35.5% | 44.6% | Lynn + |
| Black | 22.9% | 12.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 6.0% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 42.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,083 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 23.3% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $584,482 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.6% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 33.8 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX