Signals
Swampscott
Lowell
Opportunity
61 · Top 41%
vs47 · Bottom 31%
Climate
63 · Bottom 27%
vs63 · Bottom 25%
Physical resilience
78 · Top 27%
vs88 · Top 14%
Housing affordability
67 · Bottom 30%
vs59 · Bottom 20%
Access
99 · Top 14%
vs92 · Top 50%
Economic stability
68 · Top 35%
vs58 · Bottom 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Swampscott | Lowell | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,277 | 118,368 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $134,386 | $78,658 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $78,590 | $36,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 5,055/sq mi | 8,697/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $771,100 | $429,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,303 | $1,625 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 75.9% | 43.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 62.2% | 30.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | 16.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 82°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 40.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 21 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 38.1 min | 30.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.5 | 35.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 2 | 36 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.33 | 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
Swampscott
Elevated or high exposure: coastal flooding, earthquake, hurricane.
Lowell
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Swampscott
73
Your Score
—
Area Score
Lowell
64
Your Score
62
Area Score
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Full profiles: Swampscott, MA · Lowell, MA · How this is calculated: methodology