Lowell MA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 100,731 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.0 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 20.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.0% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 1.5% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
New Bedford
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $56,025 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $30,475 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.6% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.9% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 16.8% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 40.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
New Bedford
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
New Bedford
1086
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 36.3% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.2% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 22.0% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 21.4% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 51.8°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 51.9 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | 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
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and New Bedford 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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