Lowell MA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.6 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 19.0% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 10.8% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $71,302 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Tampa
1453
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 31.9% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.5% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.9% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 73.4°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, 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
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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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