Lowell MA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 19.0% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 10.8% | 7.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.9% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 32.3% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.3% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 72.1°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 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 Philadelphia, PALowell, MA vs San Antonio, TX