Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 74.1% | 50.9% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $36,138 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $484,226 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 44.0% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lowell
14.1%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 30.1 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lakeland 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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