City Comparison
Lynn vs Worcester
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Worcester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lynn
Worcester
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Worcester is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Lynn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lynn's average rent is
36% higher than Worcester's.
| Metric | Lynn | Worcester | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,800 | +36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $90 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $2,620 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lynn offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Worcester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lynn is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Worcester.
| Metric | Lynn | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,043 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,484 idx | 70,526 idx |
| Household Income | $75,043 | $70,102 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lynn runs warmer on average — a 50.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lynn comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lynn sees 26.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lynn | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Worcester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Lynn.
Lynn 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 | Lynn | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 56.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 36.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Worcester is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Lynn.
From a growth perspective, Worcester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Worcester has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lynn | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,236 | 207,055 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.64% | 2.40% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
Worcester
Advantages
Worcester offers a cost of living that is more affordable than the national average, particularly in housing costs compared to Boston.
The city has a growing job market with strong sectors in healthcare, education, and technology, supported by major employers and research institutions.
Worcester boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous theaters, museums, and a diverse culinary landscape.
The median property value in Worcester, while increasing, remains more accessible than in many other Massachusetts municipalities.
Worcester has a Walk Score of 56, indicating that some daily errands can be accomplished on foot, and offers public transit options including MBTA Commuter Rail service to Boston.
Drawbacks
Worcester experienced a significant surge in homicides in 2024, marking the highest number in nearly four years.
While improving, the city's transit score is 34, suggesting that public transportation accessibility and frequency could be enhanced.
The median household income in Worcester ($70,102 in 2024) is lower than the median for Worcester County ($95,900 from 2020-2024).
Worcester's crime trajectory is described as volatile, and it has a higher violent-to-property crime ratio than the national average.
Despite a growing job market, salary growth in Worcester County has lagged behind state and national averages, with notable racial and ethnic disparities in unemployment.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Worcester
#346Massachusetts, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
34.0/100
Walkability
56.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
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