Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 114,799 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.5 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 54.8% | 50.9% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $76,205 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $36,138 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 29.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 27.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.5% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 47.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
32.2 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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