Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 114,799 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 59.1% | 50.9% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 10.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $36,138 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 29.9% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $484,226 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 44.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.5% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 30.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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