Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
West Palm Beach, FL
🏆 West Palm Beach leads 13 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
West Palm Beach
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,044
Violent Crime Index
152⚠ High
Population
117,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $6,002 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 90°F
Rent averages $103/mo less ($1,511 vs $1,614)
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
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)
Longer commutes — 31.3 min average each way
West Palm Beach, FL
Pros
Homes cost $118k less ($324,800 vs $442,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 36°F
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (575.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Median income trails Lynn by $6,002/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,614/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Median Income
$6,002
$70,046 vs $64,044/yr
Lynn
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 111.6 on the COL index
West Palm Beach
Median Home Value
$118k less
$324,800 vs $442,800
West Palm Beach
Summer Heat
9.7°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High | $324,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,614⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 ✓ Higher | $64,044 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 11.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 102⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" ✓ Drier | 61.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 117,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 49.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs West Palm Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Lynn is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Palm Beach leads 13 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 10 and West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $324,800 median home), income ($70,046 vs $64,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and West Palm Beach, FL are about 1,204 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.