Lynn MA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 44.6% | 21.8% | Lynn + |
| Black | 12.1% | 1.4% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.7% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Lynn +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $28,813 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.7% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.2% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 15.5% | Lynn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Lynn +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $751,711 | Lynn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 47.0% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.4% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 22.4% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while lynn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $584,482. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. 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, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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