Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 114,799 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 72.3% | 50.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $76,205 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $36,138 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 29.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $484,226 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 44.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 47.0 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 30.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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