Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Providence, RI
🏆 Providence leads 13 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High
Population
100,653
Providence
Rhode Island
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,365
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ 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 1.5 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $8,681 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,511/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Providence, RI
Pros
Homes cost $150k less ($293,000 vs $442,800)
52% less violent crime than Lynn
Rent averages $297/mo less ($1,214 vs $1,511)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Cons
Median income trails Lynn by $8,681/yr
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Median Income
$8,681
$70,046 vs $61,365/yr
Lynn
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.2% unemployment
Providence
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Providence
Violent Crime
52% lower
276.7 vs 574.6 per 100k
Providence
Median Home Value
$150k less
$293,000 vs $442,800
Providence
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 83.6°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $293,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High | $1,214 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 ✓ Higher | $61,365 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High | 73 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 79 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 34.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 82.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Providence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 83.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" ✓ Drier | 47.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 36.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 189,715 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 ✓ Older | 32.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% ✓ Higher | 39.9% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Providence's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Providence is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Providence leads 13 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 10 and Providence wins 13. 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 Providence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $293,000 median home), income ($70,046 vs $61,365), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Providence, RI are about 51 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.