Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Lowell, MA
🏆 Gilbert leads 19 of 23 categories
Gilbert
Arizona
19
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Lowell
Massachusetts
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
75% less violent crime than Lowell
Households earn $42,171 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 34°F
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Lowell, MA
Pros
Rent averages $373/mo less ($1,466 vs $1,839)
Homes cost $92k less ($362,800 vs $454,300)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 104°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $42,171/yr
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (5.7% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.5 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Gilbert
Median Income
$42,171
$115,179 vs $73,008/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
75% lower
132.2 vs 532.5 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.7% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
19.5°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 84.7°F
Lowell
Median Home Value
$92k less
$362,800 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Lowell, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $362,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $1,466⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $73,008 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 140⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 79 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 28.3% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Lowell |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 34.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 48.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 59.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 114,737 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 43.3% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 11.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Lowell's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Gilbert is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 19 of 23 categories. Gilbert wins 19 and Lowell wins 4. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Gilbert to Lowell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $362,800 median home), income ($115,179 vs $73,008), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Lowell, MA are about 2,270 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.