Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Lynn, MA
🏆 Brownsville leads 14 of 23 categories
Brownsville
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999 ✓ Larger
Lynn
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High
Population
100,653
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $330k less ($112,600 vs $442,800)
Rent averages $639/mo less ($872 vs $1,511)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
21% less violent crime than Lynn
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 36°F
Cons
Median income trails Lynn by $23,311/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Lynn, MA
Pros
Households earn $23,311 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 92°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
Higher rents — median is $1,511/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Brownsville
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
21% lower
456.0 vs 574.6 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$330k less
$112,600 vs $442,800
Brownsville
Summer Heat
11.6°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 80.3°F
Lynn
Median Income
$23,311
$70,046 vs $46,735/yr
Lynn
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lynn, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $442,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,511⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $70,046 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 113⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 56 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 21.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 77.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Lynn |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 36.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 47.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 39.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 ✓ Larger | 100,653 |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 48.6% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 24.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Lynn's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 14 of 23 categories. Brownsville wins 14 and Lynn wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Brownsville to Lynn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $442,800 median home), income ($46,735 vs $70,046), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Lynn, MA are about 1,880 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.