Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
New York, NY
🏆 New York leads 12 of 23 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,008
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
New York
New York
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,607 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
177⚠ High
Population
8,622,467 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
Homes cost $369k less ($362,800 vs $732,100)
21% less violent crime than New York
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Rent averages $248/mo less ($1,466 vs $1,714)
Cons
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)
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Median income trails New York by $3,599/yr
New York, NY
Pros
More college-educated — 40.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 34°F
Households earn $3,599 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $732,100
Violent crime (671.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,714/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Lowell
Violent Crime
21% lower
532.5 vs 671.0 per 100k
Lowell
Median Home Value
$369k less
$362,800 vs $732,100
Lowell
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.6% unemployment
New York
Median Income
$3,599
$76,607 vs $73,008/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $732,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,714⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 | $76,607 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 41.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 13.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 177⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 113⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% | 40.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 83.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 39.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" | 47.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 24.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 | 8,622,467 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% ✓ Higher | 32.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.7% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 15.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs New York's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Lowell is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New York leads 12 of 23 categories. Lowell wins 11 and New York wins 12. 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 New York or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $732,100 median home), income ($73,008 vs $76,607), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and New York, NY are about 192 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.