Lowell MA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Waco
9.8%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 9.8% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 10.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.0% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $51,468 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $28,819 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 28.6% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 36.8% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.4% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 66.6°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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