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Lynn vs Reading

Lynn, Massachusetts versus Reading, Massachusetts: a factual, side-by-side comparison of cost of living, housing, safety, schools, and climate. Greener figures rank better among US places.

Overall livability

Lynn

Mixed · objective livability44/100

Reading

Mixed · objective livability49/100

Reading edges out Lynn on overall objective livability (49 vs 44 of 100), though each leads on different factors below.

Factor-by-factor comparison

FactorLynnReading
Affordability
Median Household Income$70k$155k
Cost of Living$82k$82k
Home Value$443k$713k
Monthly Rent$2k$2k
Monthly Owner Costs$3k$3k
Property Tax Rate1.10%1.26%
Income Tax9.00%9.00%
Sales Tax6.25%6.25%
Estimated total tax burden18.03%16.86%
Unemployment5.7%2.8%
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)29°F28°F
Summer Temp (Jul)73°F73°F
Annual Precipitation47.3 in50.0 in
Annual Snowfall39.1 in63.5 in
Sunny Days181 days181 days
Summer Humidity62°F62°F
Comfortable Days95 days86 days
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk27.432.4
Air Quality44 AQI43 AQI
School Quality90.579.7
Violent Crime1627/100k124/100k
Property Crime1190/100k588/100k
Community
Population100,65325,415
Median Age36.244.2
Racial Diversity0.700.23
Male/Female Ratio0.990.98
Political LeaningD+64D+64
White (%)35.6%86.0%
Black (%)10.8%0.4%
Hispanic (%)42.9%4.4%
Asian (%)5.7%6.4%
Other / Multiracial (%)5.0%2.7%
Getting Around
Commute Time31 min32 min
Walkability15.1/2010.1/20
Airport Distance8 mi13 mi
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access85.8%94.0%
Amenities Nearby41.23132.60
Park & Nature AccessModerateModerate

Each figure is colored by how it ranks among all US places: green is strong, amber average, red weaker. Neutral factors (population, demographics, target-style climate) show their percentile without a better/worse claim.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lynn or Reading more affordable?
Reading has the lower cost of living: its index is $82k, compared with Lynn's $82k and Reading's $82k. Median rent is $2k in Lynn versus $2k in Reading.
Is Lynn or Reading safer?
Reading has the lower violent crime rate. Lynn reports 1627/100k and Reading reports 124/100k (violent crimes per 100,000 residents).
Are homes cheaper in Lynn or Reading?
The median home value is $443k in Lynn and $713k in Reading, so homes are more affordable in Lynn.
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