City Comparison
Newton vs Lynn
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newton
Lynn
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lynn is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Newton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newton's average rent is
16% higher than Lynn's.
| Metric | Newton | Lynn | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,850 | $2,450 | +16% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,930 | $3,350 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 158 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newton offers 23% higher 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 Newton is estimated at
$78,000 vs $65,000 in Lynn.
| Metric | Newton | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $75,043 |
| Salary Needed | $78,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,228 idx | 69,484 idx |
| Household Income | $160,411 | $75,043 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.40000000000001°F of each other.
| Metric | Newton | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | 50.30°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 77.80°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | 21.20°F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | 41.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.40 in | 26.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Newton 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 | Newton | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lynn is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Newton.
From a growth perspective, Lynn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newton | Lynn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,287 | 104,236 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.64% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newton
Advantages
Newton Public Schools consistently rank among the top-performing school districts in Massachusetts.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates well below the national average.
Unmatched geographic convenience with direct MBTA rail access and proximity to downtown Boston.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and recreational bodies of water like Crystal Lake and Hammond Pond.
Thriving local village centers offering boutique shopping, diverse dining, and active community life.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and median home purchase prices exceeding one million dollars.
Heavy rush hour traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-90 and Route 128.
High property tax burdens associated with funding top-tier municipal services and schools.
Fiercely competitive housing market with limited rental and starter-home inventory.
Strict zoning and historic preservation regulations can make residential renovations challenging.
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.
Newton
#334Massachusetts, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,850
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
158
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
92
Business
82
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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