Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 114,799 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.5 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 41.5% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 34.1% | 10.8% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $76,205 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $36,138 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 16.0% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 29.9% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $484,226 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 44.0% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.1% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 47.0 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 30.1 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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