Lowell MA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.2 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 5.3% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 10.8% | 9.7% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 1.8% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 16.9% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $55,902 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $33,290 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,860 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 29.1% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 449 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2174 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 39.7% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.1% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.4% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.9% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 54.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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