Lowell MA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 26,509 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.7 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 7.1% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 10.8% | 3.6% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.2% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 3.9% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 36.4% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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