Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 114,799 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 49.2% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 11.9% | 10.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 19.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $36,138 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 16.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $484,226 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 44.0% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 47.0 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 30.1 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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