Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 114,799 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 29.5% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 50.9% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $76,205 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $36,138 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 16.0% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 29.9% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Lowell
10.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 27.2% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.2% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.1% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 47.0 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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