Lowell MA vs Mesquite TX — 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%
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Mesquite
148,848
Mesquite +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Mesquite
21.0%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Mesquite
37.8%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Mesquite
3.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 148,848 | Mesquite + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.4 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 21.0% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 37.8% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 24.7% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 44.7% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Mesquite
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Mesquite
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Mesquite
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Mesquite
12.4%
Mesquite +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $71,843 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $29,291 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.8% | Mesquite + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.4% | Mesquite + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Mesquite
63.2%
Mesquite +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $263,551 | Mesquite + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 63.2% | Mesquite + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Mesquite
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Mesquite
2339
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Mesquite
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Mesquite
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Mesquite
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Mesquite
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 46.4% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 23.4% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.4% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Mesquite
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | 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 +
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Mesquite
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Mesquite
35.6 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 35.6 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while mesquite offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $263,551. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Mesquite. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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