Lowell MA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 71,542 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.9 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 4.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.7% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 1.4% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 7.7% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $55,578 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $31,499 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,527 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 22.7% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 501 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2418 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 35.9% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | 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 +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
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