Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Boston
47.8%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 114,799 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.5 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 47.8% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 21.5% | 10.8% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Lowell
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $76,205 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $36,138 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 29.9% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Lowell
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Lowell
1086
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 27.2% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.9% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.2% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.1% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 47.0 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | 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
Boston
33.1 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. 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, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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