Lowell MA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 92,577 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.0 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.5% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 16.8% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $662,209 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 392 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1752 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.9% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | 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 +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Roswell
29.6 min
Roswell +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 29.6 min | Roswell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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