Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lansing, MI
VS
Lynn, MA
🏆 Lynn leads 12 of 23 categories
Lansing
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,747
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
112,986 ✓ Larger
Lynn
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lansing, MI
Pros
Homes cost $331k less ($112,200 vs $442,800)
Rent averages $557/mo less ($954 vs $1,511)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 29.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Lynn by $19,299/yr
Violent crime (1345.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2499.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.3% vs 5.7%)
Lynn, MA
Pros
57% less violent crime than Lansing
Households earn $19,299 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 36°F vs 31°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
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Lansing
Key Differences at a Glance
Lansing
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Lansing
Median Home Value
$331k less
$112,200 vs $442,800
Lynn
Median Income
$19,299
$70,046 vs $50,747/yr
Lynn
Violent Crime
57% lower
574.6 vs 1345.1 per 100k
Lynn
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynn, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,200 ✓ Lower | $442,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $954 ✓ Lower | $1,511⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $50,747 | $70,046 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 260⚠ High | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 354⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 119⚠ High | 56 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.0:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.3% ✓ Higher | 21.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.4% ✓ Higher | 77.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lansing Public School District | Lynn |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.6°F | 36.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.8°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.3" ✓ Drier | 47.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 50.2" | 39.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 112,986 ✓ Larger | 100,653 |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.3% ✓ Higher | 48.6% |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.6% | 13.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lansing's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Lynn's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Lansing is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lynn leads 12 of 23 categories. Lansing wins 11 and Lynn wins 12. 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 Lansing to Lynn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,200 vs $442,800 median home), income ($50,747 vs $70,046), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lansing, MI and Lynn, MA are about 691 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.