Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 17 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Topeka
Kansas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High
Population
126,431 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
33% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $15,994 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 89°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
Higher rents — median is $1,511/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Topeka
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $318k less ($124,700 vs $442,800)
Rent averages $585/mo less ($926 vs $1,511)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lynn by $15,994/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Median Income
$15,994
$70,046 vs $54,052/yr
Lynn
Violent Crime
33% lower
574.6 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$318k less
$124,700 vs $442,800
Topeka
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.7% unemployment
Topeka
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 88.5°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 17 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 6 and Topeka wins 17. 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 Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $124,700 median home), income ($70,046 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Topeka, KS are about 1,311 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.