Lowell MA vs Olathe KS — 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%
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Olathe
143,720
Olathe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Olathe
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Olathe
36.6
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Olathe
10.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Olathe
78.6%
Olathe +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Olathe
4.9%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Olathe
4.2%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Olathe
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Olathe
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 143,720 | Olathe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.6 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 10.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 78.6% | Olathe + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.9% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.2% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 12.6% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Olathe
$112,232
Olathe +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Olathe
$48,655
Olathe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Olathe
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Olathe
5.6%
Olathe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Olathe
49.4%
Olathe +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $112,232 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $48,655 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,860 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.8% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.6% | Olathe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 49.4% | Olathe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Olathe
$437,785
Olathe +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Olathe
73.7%
Olathe +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $437,785 | Olathe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 73.7% | Olathe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Olathe
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Olathe
2174
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 449 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2174 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Olathe
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Olathe
9.5%
Olathe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Olathe
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Olathe
11.3%
Olathe +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 32.8% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.5% | Olathe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.4% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.1% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.8% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.3% | Olathe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Olathe
55.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Olathe
40.0 in
Olathe +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 55.2°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 40.0 in | Olathe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Olathe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Olathe
22.4 min
Olathe +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 22.4 min | Olathe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Olathe leads in median household income at $112,232, while olathe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $437,785. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Olathe. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, 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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