Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 114,799 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 59.2% | 50.9% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 10.8% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 29.9% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $484,226 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 30.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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