Lowell MA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.2 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 5.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 27.7% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.3% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 4.8% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $55,687 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $32,068 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $51,690 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.5% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 20.9% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 400 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1734 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 46.4% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.7% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.0% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 64.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 52.8 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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