Lowell MA vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.1 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 50.9% | 29.0% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.9% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
San Jose
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $1,452,609 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, 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%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.1% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 61.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, 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
Lowell +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 30.4 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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