Lowell MA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Provo
12.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 114,303 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 12.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.1% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.2% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 18.9% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $62,800 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $26,755 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.3% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $486,127 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 39.9% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 30.7% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.6% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 53.4°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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