Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Lowell leads 16 of 23 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
Homes cost $216k less ($362,800 vs $578,900)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.7%)
More college-educated — 28.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Households earn $5,820 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
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)
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
South Gate, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (3598.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Lowell
Median Income
$5,820
$73,008 vs $67,188/yr
Lowell
Median Home Value
$216k less
$362,800 vs $578,900
Lowell
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | South Gate, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High | $1,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 ✓ Higher | $67,188 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 34.6 ✓ Older | 33.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 44.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Lowell is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lowell leads 16 of 23 categories. Lowell wins 16 and South Gate wins 7. 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 Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $578,900 median home), income ($73,008 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and South Gate, CA are about 2,577 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.