Lowell MA vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Macon
18.3%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 61,773 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 18.3% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 43.7% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $70,086 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 392 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1752 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 64.6°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 30.2 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lowell, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lowell, MAChicago, IL vs Lowell, MAHouston, TX vs Lowell, MALowell, MA vs Phoenix, AZLowell, MA vs Philadelphia, PA