Lowell MA vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Nashville
N/A
White
Lowell
50.9%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 50.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 10.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 21.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Nashville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,097 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Nashville
$436,355
Nashville +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $436,355 | Nashville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Nashville
2350
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 639 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2350 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 47.9 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $436,355. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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