Lowell MA vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 43.7 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 19.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 60.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 10.8% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.2% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $36,352 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 26.8% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $327,700 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
1453
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 30.5% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.1% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.5% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 32.0 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Port St. Lucie 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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