Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 114,799 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 39.9% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 46.9% | 10.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $76,205 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $36,138 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 29.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $484,226 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 44.0% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 30.1 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. 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%.
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