Lowell MA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.2 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 11.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.4% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.5% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 30.7% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 71.8°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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