Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 34.4% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 56.6% | 10.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $484,226 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 44.0% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 48.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 47.0 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 30.1 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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