Lowell MA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Plano
28.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.3 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 28.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 10.8% | 9.0% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 16.2% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $507,575 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 31.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.3% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | 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
Lowell +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lowell 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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