Lowell MA vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 109,735 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 42.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 50.9% | 40.6% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 7.7% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 12.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.2% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 71.3°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 50.4 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 31.6 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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