Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 114,799 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 74.3% | 50.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 10.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $36,138 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 29.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $484,226 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 44.0% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.0 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 30.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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