Lowell MA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
29.1%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 11,627 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.7 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 29.1% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 10.8% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.5% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.5% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
1453
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 34.3% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 17.3% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 22.4% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.4% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Miami Gardens 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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