Lowell MA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 98,677 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.0 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 7.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 10.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 8.6% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $52,671 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $34,792 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.7% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 28.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 41.9% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.0% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 56.0°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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