Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Paterson, NJ
🏆 Lowell leads 15 of 23 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
Paterson
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$52,092
Violent Crime Index
258⚠ High
Population
157,864 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
46% less violent crime than Paterson
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $20,916 more per year on average
More college-educated — 28.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
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)
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Paterson, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $49k less ($314,100 vs $362,800)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 34°F
Cons
Median income trails Lowell by $20,916/yr
Violent crime (978.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (10.5% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Lowell
Median Income
$20,916
$73,008 vs $52,092/yr
Lowell
Violent Crime
46% lower
532.5 vs 978.6 per 100k
Lowell
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
5.7% vs 10.5% unemployment
Paterson
Median Home Value
$49k less
$314,100 vs $362,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 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 | $314,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High | $1,392⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 ✓ Higher | $52,092 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 3.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 258⚠ 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 | 14.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% ✓ Higher | 12.6% |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% ✓ Higher | 76.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | Paterson Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 39.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" ✓ Drier | 49.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 | 157,864 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% ✓ Higher | 26.3% |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Paterson's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Lowell is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lowell leads 15 of 23 categories. Lowell wins 15 and Paterson wins 8. 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 Paterson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $314,100 median home), income ($73,008 vs $52,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Paterson, NJ are about 189 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.