Lynn, MA vs New Bedford, MA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Lynn, MA and New Bedford, MA spend within 11.7% of each other per resident — $54,972 versus $49,215 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
New Bedford, MA edges Lynn, MA on the Fiscal Health Score by 7 points — 49/100 (grade D) to 42/100 (grade D). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
Lynn, MA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while New Bedford, MA carries $506 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Lynn, MA at $40,488 per resident and in New Bedford, MA at $31,923.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Lynn, MA and 31% in New Bedford, MA.
Summary
Lynn spends 11.7% more per capita than New Bedford ($5,757/person difference). New Bedford, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 49/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $96 | $123 |
| Income Tax | $224 | $5 |
| Intergovernmental | $7,325 | $7,480 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $1,982 |
| Other | $255 | $4,106 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $243 | $252 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $886 |
| Education | $40,488 | $31,923 |
| Public Welfare | $974 | $708 |
| Health | $132 | $255 |
| Hospitals | $489 | $610 |
| Parks & Recreation | $957 | $315 |
| Housing | $2,368 | $2,315 |
| Sewerage | $2,776 | $99 |
| Utilities | $834 | $887 |
| Other | $5,710 | $10,966 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.