Lynn MA vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 44.6% | 31.9% | Lynn + |
| Black | 12.1% | 2.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 16.1% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $720,443 | Lynn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 41.2% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, 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
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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