Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 114,799 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 51.3% | 50.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 10.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 19.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $76,205 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $36,138 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 16.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 29.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 44.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 30.1 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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