Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 114,799 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.5 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 58.3% | 50.9% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $76,205 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $36,138 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.0% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 29.9% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $484,226 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 44.0% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 48.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 47.0 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 30.1 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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