Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 65.7% | 50.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 19.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $76,205 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $36,138 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 44.0% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 27.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.1% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 47.0 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 30.1 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA