Lowell MA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.6 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 10.7% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 48.7% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.3% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 17.9% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $57,673 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $35,074 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.9% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Lowell +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 31.9% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.5% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 63.8°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 58.4 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. 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, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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