Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 114,799 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 36.7% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 46.8% | 10.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $484,226 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 47.0 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.1 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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