Lowell MA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.4 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 4.8% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.6% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 9.5% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,074 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $534,732 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Meridian
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 28.8% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.6% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | 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
Lowell +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, 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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