Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 114,799 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 11.7% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 76.8% | 10.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $484,226 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 44.0% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 47.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 30.1 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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