Lowell MA vs Westminster 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.2% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.7% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,653 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $528,447 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, 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 +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 27.7% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster 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%.
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