Lowell MA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 75,721 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 50.9% | 48.7% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.2% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 6.8% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $765,686 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 53.2°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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