Lowell, MA vs Quincy, MA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Lowell, MA and Quincy, MA spend within 2.5% of each other per resident — $48,457 versus $47,287 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Lowell, MA edges Quincy, MA on the Fiscal Health Score by 7 points — 50/100 (grade C) to 43/100 (grade D). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
On debt, Lowell, MA carries the lighter load at $470 per resident versus $1,638 for Quincy, MA. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Lowell, MA at $31,397 per resident and in Quincy, MA at $21,538.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 15% of total revenue in Lowell, MA and 18% in Quincy, MA.
Summary
Lowell spends 2.5% more per capita than Quincy ($1,170/person difference). Lowell, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 50/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $639 | $100 |
| Income Tax | $274 | $0 |
| Intergovernmental | $4,160 | $15,074 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,061 | $2,340 |
| Other | $2,654 | $3,310 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $194 | $464 |
| Highways & Roads | $182 | $774 |
| Education | $31,397 | $21,538 |
| Public Welfare | $349 | $778 |
| Health | $139 | $374 |
| Hospitals | $425 | $1,076 |
| Parks & Recreation | $292 | $661 |
| Housing | $2,733 | $3,703 |
| Sewerage | $126 | $587 |
| Utilities | $1,234 | $2,689 |
| Other | $11,388 | $14,644 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.