Lynn MA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 7.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 44.0% | Lynn + |
| Black | 12.1% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.7% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 9.9% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $64,017 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.1% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 17.3% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 45.7% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 39.9% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.4% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.1% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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