Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Durham
44.0%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 114,799 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.5 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 44.0% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 34.4% | 10.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $76,205 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $36,138 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.4% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.0% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 29.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $484,226 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 44.0% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.9% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.1 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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