Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fall River, MA
VS
Lynn, MA
🏆 Lynn leads 14 of 23 categories
Fall River
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,734
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
93,638
Lynn
Massachusetts
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fall River, MA
Pros
Rent averages $491/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,511)
Homes cost $115k less ($328,100 vs $442,800)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Cons
Violent crime (742.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lynn by $17,312/yr
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 5.7%)
Lynn, MA
Pros
23% less violent crime than Fall River
Households earn $17,312 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.7%)
More college-educated — 21.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,511/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fall River
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Fall River
Median Home Value
$115k less
$328,100 vs $442,800
Lynn
Median Income
$17,312
$70,046 vs $52,734/yr
Lynn
Violent Crime
23% lower
574.6 vs 742.9 per 100k
Lynn
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fall River, MA | Lynn, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $442,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,511⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,734 | $70,046 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 6.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 144⚠ High | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 195⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 | 56 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.4:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.8% | 21.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 75.7% | 77.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fall River | Lynn |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.1°F ✓ Warmer | 36.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 82.5°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.2" | 47.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.1" ✓ Less | 39.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,638 | 100,653 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.2 ✓ Older | 36.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.9% | 48.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.5% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 13.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall River's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Lynn's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Fall River is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lynn leads 14 of 23 categories. Fall River wins 9 and Lynn wins 14. 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 Fall River to Lynn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,100 vs $442,800 median home), income ($52,734 vs $70,046), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fall River, MA and Lynn, MA are about 52 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.