Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 100,905 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 67.2% | 44.6% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $35,083 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 23.3% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Lynn
$584,482
Lynn +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $584,482 | Lynn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 50.4% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.8% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.6% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 33.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, 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 383 in Kent. 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, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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