Lowell MA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 50.9% | 16.5% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 1.9% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Newark
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $48,416 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $25,509 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.7% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 17.4% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 24.1% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Newark
1426
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 35.9% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.6% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.0% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 23.4% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.2% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 54.9°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 35.9 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. 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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