Lowell MA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 113,714 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.7 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 4.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 10.8% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.9% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 3.4% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $65,537 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.7% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.5% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 41.1% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.7% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. 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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