Lowell MA vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 94,723 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.9 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 10.3% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 10.8% | 0.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.5% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 11.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $672,082 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 28.5% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy 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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