Lowell MA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 13.6% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 10.8% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.7% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 12.7% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 30.9% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 61.1°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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