Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 South Fulton leads 15 of 23 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,865
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 2.1 pts lower (5.7%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 90°F
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
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Cost of living runs 11% higher than South Fulton
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Homes cost $121k less ($242,200 vs $362,800)
12% less violent crime than Lowell
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 34°F
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $4,480 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.7%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
South Fulton
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
South Fulton
Median Income
$4,480
$77,488 vs $73,008/yr
South Fulton
Violent Crime
12% lower
470.5 vs 532.5 per 100k
South Fulton
Median Home Value
$121k less
$242,200 vs $362,800
South Fulton
Summer Heat
5.4°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 84.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High | $1,461⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 54.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
South Fulton is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, South Fulton leads 15 of 23 categories. Lowell wins 8 and South Fulton wins 15. 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 South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $242,200 median home), income ($73,008 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and South Fulton, GA are about 950 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.