Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington leads 13 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Washington
District of Columbia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
Homes cost $262k less ($442,800 vs $705,000)
38% less violent crime than Washington
Rent averages $306/mo less ($1,511 vs $1,817)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 90°F
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $31,676/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)
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Washington
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $31,676 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 36°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Violent Crime
38% lower
574.6 vs 925.9 per 100k
Lynn
Median Home Value
$262k less
$442,800 vs $705,000
Lynn
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Washington
Median Income
$31,676
$101,722 vs $70,046/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 30.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 45.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Washington is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Washington leads 13 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 10 and Washington 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $705,000 median home), income ($70,046 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and Washington, DC are about 402 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.