Lowell, MA vs Naperville, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Lowell
67.3
#1437 nationally
Naperville
75.7
#429 nationally
Naperville leads in median household income ($150,937 vs $73,008). Naperville leads in crime level (9.3 vs 14.6). Lowell leads in walk score (67 vs 46).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Naperville, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.3 (#1437) | 75.7 (#429) |
| Population | 114,296 | 149,424 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $492,877 | $629,473 |
| Median Household Income | $73,008 | $150,937 |
| Average Commute | 27.2 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 14.6 | 9.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+13.3 |
D+
67.3 Score
Lowell, MA
Mid-size Massachusetts city with community character
Median Home
$492,877
Population
114,296
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Lowell, MA →
C
75.7 Score
Naperville, IL
Where families thrive and communities flourish
Median Home
$629,473
Population
149,424
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Midwest
View Naperville, IL →