Lowell MA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 15.6% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $72,708 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $66,354 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1960 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 37.5% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.0% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.0% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 51.1°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lowell, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lowell, MAChicago, IL vs Lowell, MAHouston, TX vs Lowell, MALowell, MA vs Phoenix, AZLowell, MA vs Philadelphia, PA