Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Manchester, NH
🏆 Manchester leads 19 of 22 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
3
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737
Manchester
New Hampshire
19
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,040 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
115,037 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Cons
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $362,800
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (5.7% vs 4.2%)
Manchester, NH
Pros
37% less violent crime than Lowell
Homes cost $58k less ($304,700 vs $362,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.2%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Rent averages $104/mo less ($1,362 vs $1,466)
Cons
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 84.7°F vs 81.1°F
Manchester
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 104.2 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Manchester
Median Income
$1,032
$74,040 vs $73,008/yr
Manchester
Violent Crime
37% lower
336.0 vs 532.5 per 100k
Manchester
Median Home Value
$58k less
$304,700 vs $362,800
Manchester
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 104.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High | $304,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High | $1,362⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 | $74,040 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 10.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 | 78 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% | 32.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 88.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | Manchester School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F ✓ Warmer | 31.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F ✓ Warmer | 81.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" | 42.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 52.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 | 115,037 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Manchester's 104.2 (US average = 100).
Manchester is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Manchester leads 19 of 22 categories. Lowell wins 3 and Manchester wins 19. 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 Lowell to Manchester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $304,700 median home), income ($73,008 vs $74,040), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Manchester, NH are about 25 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.