Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Palmdale, CA
🏆 Lynn leads 12 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,046
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High
Population
100,653
Palmdale
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,414 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
145⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
166,895 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (5.7%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 98°F
More college-educated — 21.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $114/mo less ($1,511 vs $1,625)
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
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)
Median income trails Palmdale by $8,368/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
Palmdale, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 36°F
Households earn $8,368 more per year on average
Homes cost $45k less ($397,500 vs $442,800)
Cons
Violent crime (551.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 5.7%)
Longer commutes — 41.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Lynn
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.4% unemployment
Palmdale
Median Income
$8,368
$78,414 vs $70,046/yr
Palmdale
Violent Crime
4% lower
551.0 vs 574.6 per 100k
Palmdale
Median Home Value
$45k less
$397,500 vs $442,800
Palmdale
Summer Heat
17.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.6°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Palmdale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $397,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,625⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 | $78,414 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 41.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 7.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 123⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | C- (59) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% ✓ Higher | 76.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Palmdale Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 59.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 97.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 7.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 166,895 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 ✓ Older | 33.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 66.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 29.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.1% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Palmdale's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Lynn is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lynn leads 12 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 12 and Palmdale wins 11. 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 Palmdale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $397,500 median home), income ($70,046 vs $78,414), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Palmdale, CA are about 2,571 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.