Rows tagged local are specific to Lowell (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Chicago, IL. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district Tri-creek School Corporation · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
102.5
metro-area
#159 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
104.3
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.83
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Median household income
$77,375
local
#1901 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$41,606
local
#1967 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
38.4 years
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
40.9%
metro-area
#35 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
18.3%
metro-area
#35 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
65.3%
metro-area
#115 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.33%
local
#1903 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+12.8%
local
#501 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$206,900
local
#649 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#418 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+4.4%
metro-area
#27 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$109
local
#619 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,265
local
#1155 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
21,664
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.3%
state
#164 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.00%
state
#169 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.00%
Capital gains tax
3.05%
state
#112 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.97%
local
#1607 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,009
local
#675 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.2 years
metro-area
#60 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#93 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
8.4%
metro-area
#100 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
85
metro-area
#56 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#138 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#125 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.20% of value (~$336/yr)
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
29
Avg commute to work
32 min
local
#2499 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
63.6%
metro-area
#13 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
47.8%
metro-area
#193 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.9¢/kWh
state
#138 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$161
state
#138 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#159 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#167 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$102
state
#7 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#67 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#106 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
97.1 — Relatively High
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#143 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
56
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#66 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
94%
state
#4 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,200
metro-area
#178 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
18
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
15°F
metro-area
#182 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
40.9"
metro-area
#86 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
38.8"
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
54%
metro-area
#161 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
360
state
#111 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,000
state
#47 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
114
metro-area
#84 of 200 metros
Parks
237
Hiking areas
58
Golf courses
49
Shooting ranges
40
Lakes
36
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#147 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.