Lowell MA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 49.2 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 11.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.0% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 9.4% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $858,307 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 72.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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