Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 114,799 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.5 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 41.9% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 23.7% | 10.8% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 19.3% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $36,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 29.9% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $484,226 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 47.0 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 30.1 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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