Lowell MA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.2 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 50.9% | 49.1% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 7.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Stamford
$85,393
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,393 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $708,498 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1524 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 52.3°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 53.2 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 30.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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