Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 81.8% | 50.9% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $76,205 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $36,138 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 29.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 44.0% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 27.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 10.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.5% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.1% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 47.0 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.1 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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