Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
29.5%
White
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
21.1%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 114,799 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 50.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,205 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,138 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $484,226 | Duluth + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 326 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Duluth +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Duluth +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.9% | Duluth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.5% | Duluth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 8.2% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | 48.5°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | 47.0 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. 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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