Lynn MA vs Meridian ID — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.4 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 4.8% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 12.1% | 1.6% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.1% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 9.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,074 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | 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.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lynn. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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