Lynn MA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynn
100,905
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 23.2% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 12.1% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 24.9% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Worcester
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $67,544 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.4% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 19.8% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 42.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Worcester
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Worcester
1086
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.3% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.1% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lynn. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Worcester 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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