City Comparison
Fall River vs Lynn
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lynn scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fall River
Lynn
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fall River is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Lynn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fall River's average rent is
37% lower than Lynn's.
| Metric | Fall River | Lynn | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $2,450 | -37% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,530 | $3,350 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lynn offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lynn delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fall River is estimated at
$52,000 vs $65,000 in Lynn.
| Metric | Fall River | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $75,043 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 69,484 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $75,043 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fall River comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lynn sees 9.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fall River | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 50.30°F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | 77.80°F |
| Winter Low | 22.50°F | 21.20°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 41.10 in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | 26.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fall River has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Lynn.
Fall River scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lynn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fall River | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lynn is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Fall River.
From a growth perspective, Lynn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lynn has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fall River | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,000 | 104,236 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.64% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fall River
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly more affordable than the greater Boston and Providence averages per Zillow 2024 data.
Direct MBTA commuter rail access to Boston improves regional transit connectivity.
Rich cultural heritage featuring renowned Portuguese cuisine, bakeries, and annual festivals.
Strategic coastal location along Mount Hope Bay with proximity to Newport and Cape Cod.
Active downtown revitalization and infrastructure investments fostering local business growth.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average state utility rates impact monthly household electricity and heating budgets.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates than surrounding suburbs.
Public school performance metrics lag behind state averages according to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Ongoing traffic congestion along major highway arteries during peak commuting hours.
Aging housing stock in older districts may require significant renovation and maintenance investments.
Lynn
Advantages
Median rent of $2,450 offers significant savings compared to Boston's metropolitan averages while remaining close to the coast
MBTA Commuter Rail provides fast under-20-minute direct access from Central Square to Boston's North Station
Lynn Woods Reservation offers 2,200 acres of pristine public forest, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation
Exceptionally diverse cultural scene featuring authentic global cuisine and vibrant public street art festivals
Proximity to major employment anchors including GE Aerospace and regional healthcare networks
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living tracks roughly 8% above the national average due to regional housing pressures
Traffic congestion along major commuter arteries like Route 1A can cause heavy delays during peak hours
Property crime and localized urban safety challenges require ongoing municipal and police intervention
portions of the housing stock are older and may require significant maintenance or energy retrofitting
Public school performance metrics have historically faced challenges typical of urban Gateway Cities
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fall River
#530Massachusetts, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
71
Business
65
Lynn
#499Massachusetts, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$75,043
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.64%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
74
Business
70
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