Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 114,799 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 70.3% | 50.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $36,138 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 16.0% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 29.9% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $484,226 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 44.0% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.5% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 30.1 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA