Lynn MA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 12.1% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.7% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 20.6% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Lynn +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $53,328 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $30,409 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 8.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 21.9% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 23.2% | Lynn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 44.7% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.4% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.5% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.1% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lynn, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lynn, MAChicago, IL vs Lynn, MAHouston, TX vs Lynn, MALynn, MA vs Phoenix, AZLynn, MA vs Philadelphia, PA