City Comparison
Lynn vs Watertown
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Massachusetts, USA
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Lynn scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lynn
Watertown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Lynn | Watertown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lynn offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Lynn | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,043 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $0 |
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 | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Watertown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
16,000 minutes (267 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 | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lynn is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Lynn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Watertown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lynn | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,236 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.64% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | % |
| 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
Watertown
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
Watertown
Massachusetts, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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