Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 114,799 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 29.5% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 8.5% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 19.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $76,205 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $36,138 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.9% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.5% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.1% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 47.0 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. 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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