Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Lynn, MA
🏆 Lowell leads 11 of 21 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737 ✓ Larger
Lynn
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046
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.
Lowell, MA
Pros
7% less violent crime than Lynn
Homes cost $80k less ($362,800 vs $442,800)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $2,962 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Lynn, MA
Pros
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Cons
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Longer commutes — 31.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Median Income
$2,962
$73,008 vs $70,046/yr
Lowell
Violent Crime
7% lower
532.5 vs 574.6 per 100k
Lowell
Median Home Value
$80k less
$362,800 vs $442,800
Lowell
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 84.7°F vs 80.3°F
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 111.6 on the COL index
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $442,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,511⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 ✓ Higher | $70,046 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 | 56 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% ✓ Higher | 21.9% |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% ✓ Higher | 77.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | Lynn |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 36.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" | 47.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 39.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 ✓ Larger | 100,653 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 13.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Lynn's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Both have a similar overall cost of living.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Lowell leads 11 of 21 categories. Lowell wins 11 and Lynn wins 10. 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 Lowell to Lynn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $442,800 median home), income ($73,008 vs $70,046), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Lynn, MA are about 22 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.