Akron OH vs Lowell MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 114,799 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 56.1% | 50.9% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 10.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $484,226 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 44.0% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 47.0 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 30.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA