Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 114,799 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 60.1% | 50.9% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $76,205 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $36,138 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 16.0% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 29.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 44.0% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 27.2% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.9% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.5% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.1% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.0 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.1 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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