Lowell MA vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 9.3% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 10.8% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 4.2% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $64,137 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,080 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.5% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1613 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 51.8°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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