Lynn MA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Lynn
12.1%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 12.2% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 39.1% | Lynn + |
| Black | 12.1% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.5% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 12.8% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $62,789 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $54,550 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 15.5% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 48.5% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Lynn +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.2% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.2% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 19.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | 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 +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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