Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
29.5%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
21.1%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 114,799 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 50.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,205 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,138 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $484,226 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 326 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.5% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 47.0 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. 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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