Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 114,799 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.5 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 43.2% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 22.4% | 10.8% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 19.3% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 16.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 29.9% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $484,226 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 44.0% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 47.0 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 30.1 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. 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
Arlington, TX vs New York, NYArlington, TX vs Los Angeles, CAArlington, TX vs Chicago, ILArlington, TX vs Houston, TXArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA