Lowell MA vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lowell
114,799
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.0 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 50.9% | 38.0% | Lowell + |
| Black | 10.8% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Yonkers
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $685,544 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Yonkers
29.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 29.3% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.4% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.7% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | 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 +
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 37.5 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lowell, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lowell, MAChicago, IL vs Lowell, MAHouston, TX vs Lowell, MALowell, MA vs Phoenix, AZLowell, MA vs Philadelphia, PA