Lowell MA vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 107,198 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.1 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 16.8% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 10.8% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 7.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 11.4% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $694,123 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 392 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1752 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.9% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.8% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | 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 +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, 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 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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