Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Lowell leads 12 of 22 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
Pasadena
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.7%)
6% less violent crime than Pasadena
Households earn $8,310 more per year on average
More college-educated — 28.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $362,800
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,466/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $191k less ($171,600 vs $362,800)
Rent averages $307/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,466)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 34°F
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lowell by $8,310/yr
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Median Income
$8,310
$73,008 vs $64,698/yr
Lowell
Violent Crime
6% lower
532.5 vs 566.1 per 100k
Lowell
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$191k less
$171,600 vs $362,800
Pasadena
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 84.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 134⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 | 150,620 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lowell leads 12 of 22 categories. Lowell wins 12 and Pasadena wins 10. 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 Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $171,600 median home), income ($73,008 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Pasadena, TX are about 1,595 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.