Lowell MA vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Plymouth
10.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 79,526 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.7 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 13.6% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 10.8% | 5.0% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 10.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 4.7% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $514,358 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | 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 +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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