Lowell MA vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Saint Paul
17.9%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 10.8% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 17.9% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 9.1% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $73,055 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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