Lowell MA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 12.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 39.1% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.5% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 12.8% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $62,789 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $35,740 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $54,550 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 28.0% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 35.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.2% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.3% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.8% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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