Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 114,799 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 51.3% | 50.9% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 10.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $484,226 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 44.0% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 47.0 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 30.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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