Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lowell, MA
VS
Yonkers, NY
🏆 Yonkers leads 15 of 23 categories
Lowell
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,008
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737
Yonkers
New York
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,208 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
209,780 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lowell, MA
Pros
Homes cost $94k less ($362,800 vs $456,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $193/mo less ($1,466 vs $1,659)
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)
Median income trails Yonkers by $5,200/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Yonkers, NY
Pros
41% less violent crime than Lowell
More college-educated — 35.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $5,200 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $456,500
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher rents — median is $1,659/mo
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lowell
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Lowell
Median Home Value
$94k less
$362,800 vs $456,500
Lowell
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Yonkers
Median Income
$5,200
$78,208 vs $73,008/yr
Yonkers
Violent Crime
41% lower
311.8 vs 532.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Yonkers, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 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 ✓ Lower | $456,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,466⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,659⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,008 | $78,208 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter | 34.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 116⚠ High | 69 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 | 48 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.3% | 35.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 83.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lowell | YONKERS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.0°F | 39.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.5" ✓ Drier | 51.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.0" | 32.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,737 | 209,780 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 39.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 20.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Yonkers's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Lowell is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Yonkers leads 15 of 23 categories. Lowell wins 8 and Yonkers 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 Yonkers or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($362,800 vs $456,500 median home), income ($73,008 vs $78,208), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lowell, MA and Yonkers, NY are about 176 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.