Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Stockton, CA
🏆 Lowell leads 13 of 23 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
Stockton
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,612
Violent Crime Index
302⚠ High
Population
320,030 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
54% less violent crime than Stockton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.7%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 95°F
Homes cost $19k less ($362,800 vs $382,000)
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
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Stockton
Stockton, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 34°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Cons
Violent crime (1145.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2639.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 5.7%)
Longer commutes — 32.8 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Median Income
$1,396
$73,008 vs $71,612/yr
Lowell
Violent Crime
54% lower
532.5 vs 1145.8 per 100k
Lowell
Median Home Value
$19k less
$362,800 vs $382,000
Lowell
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.7% unemployment
Stockton
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 107.4 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Stockton
Summer Heat
10.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.7°F vs 84.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Stockton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 107.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $382,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High | $1,417⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 ✓ Higher | $71,612 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 5.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 302⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 126⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C- (74) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% ✓ Higher | 18.3% |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% ✓ Higher | 77.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | Stockton Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 94.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 | 320,030 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 ✓ Older | 33.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 51.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Stockton's 107.4 (US average = 100).
Stockton is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lowell leads 13 of 23 categories. Lowell wins 13 and Stockton wins 10. 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 Stockton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $382,000 median home), income ($73,008 vs $71,612), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Stockton, CA are about 2,615 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.