Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Lynn leads 12 of 22 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Springfield
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High
Population
155,305 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
Households earn $22,369 more per year on average
36% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (5.7%)
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 13% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $244k less ($198,500 vs $442,800)
Rent averages $464/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,511)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Cons
Median income trails Lynn by $22,369/yr
Violent crime (891.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2835.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Median Income
$22,369
$70,046 vs $47,677/yr
Lynn
Violent Crime
36% lower
574.6 vs 891.4 per 100k
Lynn
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.7% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$244k less
$198,500 vs $442,800
Springfield
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 84.9°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $198,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 7.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 79.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 84.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" ✓ Drier | 50.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.1% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lynn leads 12 of 22 categories. Lynn wins 12 and Springfield wins 10. 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $198,500 median home), income ($70,046 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Springfield, MA are about 84 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.