Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Lowell
21.1%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 29.5% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 0.6% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 21.1% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 19.3% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.1% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 47.0 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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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