Compare towns
Everett vs Lowell vs Worcester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Everett has the most expensive homes ($610k median).
Lowell has the oldest population (median age 35.6).
Worcester has the shortest commute (24 min average).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Everett | Lowell | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 50,045Lowest |
118,368 |
207,055Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+14.1% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.2±1.5 12% below MA |
35.6±0.8Highest 11% below MA |
33.9±0.5Lowest 15% below MA |
| Lowell and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.8%±2.1Highest MA: 19.4% |
21.7%±1.3 MA: 19.4% |
19.6%±0.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Everett and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 11.3%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
12.6%±0.8 MA: 17.9% |
13.3%±0.6Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Worcester and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
30% MA: 47.3% |
35.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.3%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
9.7%±0.6 MA: 7.9% |
14.1%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,218±$7kHighest 18% below MA |
$78,658±$4k 24% below MA |
$70,102±$2kLowest 33% below MA |
| Everett and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $610,000±$23kHighest 9% above MA |
$429,200±$11k 24% below MA |
$374,400±$7kLowest 33% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,076±$69Highest 18% above MA |
$1,625±$40 8% below MA |
$1,487±$38Lowest 16% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,880Highest 19% below MA |
$4,499Lowest 25% below MA |
$4,733 21% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±5.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
52.4%±3.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
54.2%±2.9 MA: 51.8% |
| Everett and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 14.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
16.9% MA: 10% |
19.6%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 37.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
43.2%Highest MA: 62.5% |
42.8% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1953Highest 11 yrs older than MA |
1951 13 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 20% above MA |
28 min 4% below MA |
24 minLowest 17% below MA |
| Work from home | 10.5%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
10.6%±1.3 MA: 18.6% |
11.5%±1Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Worcester and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #264 of 282 in MA | #255 of 282 in MA | #266 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Everett | Lowell | Ma Academy for Math and Science · Worcester |
| High school in town | Everett High | Lowell High | South High Community |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Lowest |
14.8Highest |
14.6 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.