Lowell MA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Portland
12.4%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.6 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 12.4% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 10.8% | 5.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 8.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 11.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,691 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $538,687 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 355 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3001 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 28.5% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 51.6°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 78.3 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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