Lowell MA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 50.9% | 21.8% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.4% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.7% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $28,813 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 15.5% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $751,711 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, 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%
Lowell +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 32.8% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.4% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 22.4% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.8% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 57.3°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, 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
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lowell, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lowell, MAChicago, IL vs Lowell, MAHouston, TX vs Lowell, MALowell, MA vs Phoenix, AZLowell, MA vs Philadelphia, PA