Lowell MA vs Lynchburg VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 79,255 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 4.6% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 10.8% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.2% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 5.0% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $59,808 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $30,004 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.4% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Lynchburg
1726
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 37.1% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.4% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 54.8°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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