Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 14 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Peoria
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,068
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
113,054 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
57% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $11,978 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 86°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 23% higher than Peoria
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $296k less ($146,700 vs $442,800)
Rent averages $594/mo less ($917 vs $1,511)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.6)
Cons
Violent crime (1344.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lynn by $11,978/yr
Property crime (4284.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.0% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Median Income
$11,978
$70,046 vs $58,068/yr
Lynn
Violent Crime
57% lower
574.6 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Lynn
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.0% unemployment
Peoria
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$296k less
$146,700 vs $442,800
Peoria
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 86.3°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 ✓ Higher | $58,068 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 9.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 86.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 26.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 113,054 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 ✓ Older | 35.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 23.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 14 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 9 and Peoria 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 Lynn to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $146,700 median home), income ($70,046 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Peoria, IL are about 969 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.