Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Toms River leads 16 of 22 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,008
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Rent averages $126/mo less ($1,466 vs $1,592)
Cons
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Toms River by $19,004/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Toms River, NJ
Pros
75% less violent crime than Lowell
Households earn $19,004 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 34°F
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Toms River
Median Income
$19,004
$92,012 vs $73,008/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
75% lower
134.3 vs 532.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $362,800⚠ High | $356,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 23.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Lowell is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Toms River leads 16 of 22 categories. Lowell wins 6 and Toms River wins 16. 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 Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $356,100 median home), income ($73,008 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Toms River, NJ are about 236 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.