Fremont 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)
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
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
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Lowell
21.1%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 114,799 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 29.5% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 2.9% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 21.1% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $76,205 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $36,138 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 16.0% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 29.9% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 44.0% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Fremont, 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
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 27.2% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.9% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 18.5% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 8.2% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.1% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 14.1% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 47.0 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, 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
Fremont
33.9 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, 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 Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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