Lowell MA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.6 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 6.8% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.6% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 19.2% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 29.4% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.2% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 32.8 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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