Lowell MA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 12.1% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 10.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 6.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 10.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $45,845 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $27,570 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 29.6% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 41.3% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 41.5% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.7% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.8% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 49.0°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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%.
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