Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 114,799 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 35.5% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 21.4% | 10.8% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.0% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $484,226 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 44.0% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 47.0 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. 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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