Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 114,799 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.5 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 78.9% | 50.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $36,138 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 29.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $484,226 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 44.0% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.9% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 47.0 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 30.1 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. 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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