Lowell MA vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Modesto
7.4%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 50.8% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.7% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 7.4% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Modesto
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $34,656 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.3% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 20.3% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 36.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.1% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.0% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.5% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 63.7°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 30.5 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. 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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