Lynn MA vs Virginia Beach 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.4 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 9.1% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 12.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 8.9% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.5% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.6% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lynn. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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