Lowell MA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Reno
16.1%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.3 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 16.1% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 10.8% | 3.2% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 7.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $62,696 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $570,934 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 460 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2417 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Reno
18.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 28.4% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.9% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 53.0°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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