Head-to-Head · City Comparison
High Point, NC
VS
Lowell, MA
🏆 High Point leads 16 of 23 categories
High Point
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,582
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,120
Lowell
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
High Point, NC
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($196,500 vs $362,800)
Rent averages $436/mo less ($1,030 vs $1,466)
15% less violent crime than Lowell
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 34°F
Cons
Violent crime (454.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lowell by $14,426/yr
Property crime (2456.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Lowell, MA
Pros
Households earn $14,426 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.7%)
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $362,800
Higher rents — median is $1,466/mo
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than High Point
Key Differences at a Glance
High Point
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Violent Crime
15% lower
454.8 vs 532.5 per 100k
High Point
Median Home Value
$166k less
$196,500 vs $362,800
High Point
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 84.7°F
Lowell
Median Income
$14,426
$73,008 vs $58,582/yr
Lowell
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lowell, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $196,500 ✓ Lower | $362,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,030 ✓ Lower | $1,466⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,582 | $73,008 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.0% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 140⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 117⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.4% ✓ Higher | 28.3% |
| High School or Higher | 86.4% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Guilford County Schools | Lowell |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer | 34.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.3" ✓ Drier | 48.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.9" ✓ Less | 59.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,120 | 114,737 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.7 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% ✓ Higher | 43.3% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 15.7% ✓ More | 11.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
High Point's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Lowell's 111.6 (US average = 100).
High Point is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, High Point leads 16 of 23 categories. High Point wins 16 and Lowell wins 7. 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 High Point to Lowell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($196,500 vs $362,800 median home), income ($58,582 vs $73,008), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
High Point, NC and Lowell, MA are about 652 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.