Lynn MA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Salem
12.2%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 12.2% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 12.1% | 1.6% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.5% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 23.4% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $71,900 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,691 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.3% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 355 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3001 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 41.4% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.2% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. 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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