Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 114,799 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 53.6% | 50.9% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 10.8% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $76,205 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $36,138 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 16.0% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 29.9% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.5% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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%.
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