Lynn MA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 98,677 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.0 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 7.5% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 12.1% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.1% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 8.6% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $52,671 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $34,792 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 19.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 41.9% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.9% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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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