Lowell MA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.3 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 10.8% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $67,521 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $34,474 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 22.6% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Palm Bay
1453
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 36.5% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.0% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.5% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Palm Bay 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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