Lowell MA vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 50.9% | 30.4% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.5% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 16.7% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $2,144,024 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 43.8% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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