Brookline, MA vs Lynn, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Lynn, MA is dramatic. Lynn is 78% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Lynn sits at 126, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookline is $2,804/month compared to $1,612/month in Lynn — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lynn is more affordable at $472,600 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $74,715 in Lynn (+88.2%). While Brookline is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookline spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in Lynn.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.9°F). Lynn receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Brookline.