Lowell MA vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 100,905 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.8 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 50.9% | 44.6% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 6.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lynn
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $74,715 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $35,083 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 23.3% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $584,482 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lynn
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lynn
1086
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 33.8% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.8% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.6% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, 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
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 33.8 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn 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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