Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Houston
35.5%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 114,799 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 35.5% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 22.9% | 10.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 19.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $36,138 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 29.9% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $484,226 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 30.1 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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