Lowell MA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 10.8% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.2% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 10.5% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.7% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.4% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 28.6% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.9% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.8% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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