El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
El Paso
39.3%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 114,799 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 39.3% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 3.6% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 19.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $484,226 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 44.0% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.1% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 47.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 30.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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