Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 114,799 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 49.4% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 38.7% | 10.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $36,138 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.9% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $484,226 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 30.1 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. 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, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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