Lowell MA vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Torrance
28.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 95,358 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 28.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 34.8% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.1% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Torrance
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 26.2% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $1,128,110 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 62.6°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 44.9 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 503 in Torrance. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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