Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 114,799 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 83.6% | 50.9% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $76,205 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $36,138 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.4% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 29.9% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 44.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Lowell
1086
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 326 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1086 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 47.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 30.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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