Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Modesto leads 15 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Modesto
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
12% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
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)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Modesto
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $61k less ($381,800 vs $442,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 36°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Households earn $3,329 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Violent Crime
12% lower
574.6 vs 655.7 per 100k
Lynn
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Income
$3,329
$73,375 vs $70,046/yr
Modesto
Median Home Value
$61k less
$381,800 vs $442,800
Modesto
Summer Heat
14.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 6.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 83.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 15 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 8 and Modesto wins 15. 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 Lynn to Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $381,800 median home), income ($70,046 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Modesto, CA are about 2,629 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.