Lowell MA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 15.4% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.7% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.3% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $74,925 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $580,126 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 52.8°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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