Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 67.7% | 50.9% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 19.3% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 16.0% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $484,226 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 44.0% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 30.1 min | Gresham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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