Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 114,799 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 29.5% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 2.5% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 19.3% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $76,205 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $36,138 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 16.0% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 44.0% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 27.2% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.1% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 47.0 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, 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 503 in Anaheim. 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, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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