Lowell MA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.9 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 14.8% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 10.8% | 5.3% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.6% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 13.5% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $75,331 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 35.0% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.9% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 49.2°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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