Lowell MA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Salem
12.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.7 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 12.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.6% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.5% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $71,900 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,691 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 355 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3001 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 41.4% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.7% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.6% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 53.0°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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