Lowell MA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 50.9% | 40.7% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.9% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $66,772 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $64,538 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 20.1% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 41.2% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Providence
1303
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1303 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 34.4% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.6% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.6% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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