Signals
Durham
Lowell
Opportunity
86 · Top 2%
vs47 · Bottom 31%
Climate
59 · Bottom 13%
vs63 · Bottom 25%
Physical resilience
63 · Top 45%
vs88 · Top 14%
Housing affordability
84 · Top 45%
vs59 · Bottom 20%
Access
82 · Bottom 25%
vs92 · Top 50%
Economic stability
30 · Bottom 7%
vs58 · Bottom 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Durham | Lowell | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,681 | 118,368 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $112,070 | $78,658 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $25,585 | $36,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,531/sq mi | 8,697/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $498,000 | $429,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,302 | $1,625 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 53.6% | 43.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3% | 4.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.0% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 75.4% | 30.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 16.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 81°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 15°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 40.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 30 mi | 21 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.5 min | 30.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 20.1 | 35.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 3 | 36 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.25 | 12.67 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Durham
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, earthquake.
Lowell
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Durham, NH · Lowell, MA · How this is calculated: methodology