Lynn MA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Lynn
44.6%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 100,731 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.0 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 20.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 12.1% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.5% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 24.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
New Bedford
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Lynn +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $56,025 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $30,475 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 19.9% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 16.8% | Lynn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 40.0% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
New Bedford
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
New Bedford
1086
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.3% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.2% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 22.0% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.0% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 21.4% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lynn. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and New Bedford 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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