Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Rockford leads 15 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Rockford
Illinois
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,744
Violent Crime Index
284⚠ High
Population
148,173 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
47% less violent crime than Rockford
Households earn $19,302 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (5.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 36°F vs 29°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 22% higher than Rockford
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $329k less ($114,100 vs $442,800)
Rent averages $605/mo less ($906 vs $1,511)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.1)
Cons
Median income trails Lynn by $19,302/yr
Violent crime (1080.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2517.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Median Income
$19,302
$70,046 vs $50,744/yr
Lynn
Violent Crime
47% lower
574.6 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Lynn
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
5.7% vs 9.0% unemployment
Rockford
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 90.1 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Rockford
Median Home Value
$329k less
$114,100 vs $442,800
Rockford
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 83.9°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 90.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 ✓ Higher | $50,744 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 7.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 23.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 85.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 83.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 38.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 37.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 148,173 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 54.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Rockford is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rockford leads 15 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 8 and Rockford 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 Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $114,100 median home), income ($70,046 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Rockford, IL are about 922 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.