Lowell MA vs Roseville CA — 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%
Roseville, CA
California · Population: 50,340
- Median HH Income$72,248
- Median Home Price$650,823
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+21.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Roseville
50,340
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Roseville
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Roseville
44.5
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Roseville
7.8%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Roseville
0.6%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Roseville
29.4%
Roseville +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 50,340 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 44.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 58.6% | Roseville + |
| White | 50.9% | 7.8% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 0.6% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 64.9% | Roseville + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 29.4% | Roseville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Roseville
$72,248
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Roseville
$27,237
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Roseville
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Roseville
5.0%
Roseville +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Roseville
14.1%
Roseville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Roseville
21.9%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $72,248 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $27,237 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.0% | Roseville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.1% | Roseville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 21.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Roseville
$650,823
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Roseville
48.2%
Roseville +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $650,823 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 48.2% | Roseville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Roseville
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Roseville
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Roseville
27.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Roseville
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 27.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.4% | Roseville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.8% | Roseville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.6% | Roseville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.6% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.5% | Roseville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Roseville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Roseville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Roseville
30.5 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 30.5 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 503 in Roseville. Roseville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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