Lowell MA vs Pasadena CA — 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 67,231 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 42.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 50.9% | 48.4% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.2% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 7.1% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Pasadena
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $1,215,642 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Pasadena
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 67.0°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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