Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 77.2% | 50.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $76,205 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $36,138 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 16.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 29.9% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 44.0% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 27.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.5% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.1% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.1 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. 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, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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