Grand Rapids MI 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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 Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 114,799 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 61.0% | 50.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 10.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 29.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $484,226 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 44.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 47.0 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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