Lynn MA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Portland
11.1%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 68,505 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 11.1% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 12.1% | 9.0% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.2% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 3.1% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,587 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 46.7% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Portland
1234
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1234 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.3% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lynn. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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