Lowell MA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 91,535 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 42.9 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 23.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.9% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 9.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 16.4% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Santa Ana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.1% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $865,610 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 28.8% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 29.0% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.7% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 65.6°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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%.
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