Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 114,799 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 58.4% | 50.9% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 10.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $36,138 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 16.0% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 29.9% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $484,226 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 44.0% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.1 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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