Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 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 ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Seattle
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
Homes cost $437k less ($442,800 vs $879,900)
26% less violent crime than Seattle
Rent averages $434/mo less ($1,511 vs $1,945)
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $46,022/yr
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)
Higher unemployment (5.7% vs 4.2%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $46,022 more per year on average
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.2%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Lynn
Violent Crime
26% lower
574.6 vs 775.1 per 100k
Lynn
Median Home Value
$437k less
$442,800 vs $879,900
Lynn
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 80.3°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$46,022
$116,068 vs $70,046/yr
Seattle
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 27.0% ✓ 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 | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 38.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Lynn is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lynn leads 12 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 12 and Seattle 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $879,900 median home), income ($70,046 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Seattle, WA are about 2,487 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.