Lowell MA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Orem
10.5%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 86,973 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 10.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.9% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 1.6% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $70,053 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $33,579 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 25.6% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $509,396 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 30.3% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 52.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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