Lowell MA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
New York
35.9%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
New York
14.6%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.0 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 50.9% | 35.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 14.6% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
New York
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.7% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.4% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $816,078 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 32.8% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
New York
1736
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 55.4°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | 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
Lowell +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 44.2 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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