Lowell MA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 14.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.2% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,653 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $505,085 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 512 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3234 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 31.8% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.4% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 32.8 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
Lowell, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lowell, MAChicago, IL vs Lowell, MAHouston, TX vs Lowell, MALowell, MA vs Phoenix, AZLowell, MA vs Philadelphia, PA