Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 114,799 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 72.2% | 50.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.0% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $484,226 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 44.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 47.0 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 30.1 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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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