Lowell MA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 8.0% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 50.7% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 8.6% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $55,931 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $35,704 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.5% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 23.2% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 39.5% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 34.1% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.3% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 67.6°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 58.1 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Tallahassee 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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