Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Philadelphia, PA
🏆 Philadelphia leads 14 of 23 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
41% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $15,471 more per year on average
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Homes cost $147k less ($215,500 vs $362,800)
Rent averages $216/mo less ($1,250 vs $1,466)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
More college-educated — 33.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 34°F
Cons
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lowell by $15,471/yr
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Median Income
$15,471
$73,008 vs $57,537/yr
Lowell
Violent Crime
41% lower
532.5 vs 908.7 per 100k
Lowell
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.6% unemployment
Philadelphia
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 103.5 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Philadelphia
Median Home Value
$147k less
$215,500 vs $362,800
Philadelphia
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 89.3°F vs 84.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High | $215,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High | $1,250 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 ✓ Higher | $57,537 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 230⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 239⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 217⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% | 33.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 86.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | Philadelphia City SD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" ✓ Drier | 50.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 16.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 52.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Philadelphia's 103.5 (US average = 100).
Philadelphia is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Philadelphia leads 14 of 23 categories. Lowell wins 9 and Philadelphia wins 14. 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 Philadelphia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $215,500 median home), income ($73,008 vs $57,537), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Philadelphia, PA are about 269 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.