Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 55.7% | 50.9% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $76,205 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $36,138 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 16.0% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 29.9% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 44.0% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.9% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 18.5% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.1% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 47.0 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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