Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 114,799 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 53.6% | 50.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 10.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $36,138 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 29.9% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $484,226 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 44.0% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 47.0 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 30.1 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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