Lowell MA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Washington
13.3%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 13.3% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 39.1% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 11.6% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.5% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $580,173 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 41.1% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 24.0% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | 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
Lowell +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 32.8 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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