Lowell MA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.3 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 12.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.8% | 10.5% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 8.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 13.1% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $496,966 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 37.3% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.3% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.8% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 53.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 31.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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