Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Irving
36.7%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Lowell
21.1%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 114,799 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.5 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 29.5% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 12.9% | 10.8% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 21.1% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 19.3% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $76,205 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $36,138 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 16.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 29.9% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $484,226 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
31.6%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.9% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.1% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 30.1 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. Irving 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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