Lowell MA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Madison
11.6%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 11.6% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 10.8% | 7.1% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 8.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 9.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,837 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.2% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Madison
1392
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1392 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 32.7% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.8% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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