Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Pompano Beach, FL
🏆 Pompano Beach leads 11 of 20 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737 ✓ Larger
Pompano Beach
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,155
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
111,790
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 3.0 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $11,853 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 91°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
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
Pompano Beach, FL
Pros
Homes cost $70k less ($293,300 vs $362,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 34°F
Cons
Median income trails Lowell by $11,853/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Median Income
$11,853
$73,008 vs $61,155/yr
Lowell
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.7% unemployment
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 111.6 on the COL index
Pompano Beach
Median Home Value
$70k less
$293,300 vs $362,800
Pompano Beach
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 84.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Pompano Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High | $293,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,527⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 ✓ Higher | $61,155 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min | 27.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% | 30.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 85.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" ✓ Drier | 55.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 ✓ Larger | 111,790 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 18.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Pompano Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Lowell is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Pompano Beach leads 11 of 20 categories. Lowell wins 9 and Pompano Beach wins 11. 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 Pompano Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $293,300 median home), income ($73,008 vs $61,155), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Pompano Beach, FL are about 1,238 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.