| Index | Lowell | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 126 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 150 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 121 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Lowell allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Lowell stands at 126, marking it 26% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Lowell is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Lowell falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Lowell cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 50% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 15 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Lowell. The feedback revealed that 47% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 53% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Lowell an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Lowell, the median home price is 58.6% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 30.1% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Lowell come in at $91,904, which is 13% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Lowell, healthcare costs are 15.5% higher than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Lowell, the utilities index registers 21.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Lowell shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $135,894 | $11,325 | $3,171 | $4,077 |
| Renters | $63,703 | $5,309 | $1,486 | $1,911 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hudson, NH | 7,386 | 111 | 11.2% |
| Pepperell, MA | 2,750 | 116 | 15.6% |
| Lawrence, MA | 82,025 | 125 | 25.4% |
| Nashua, NH | 91,471 | 116 | 16.5% |
| Ayer, MA | 2,650 | 124 | 23.6% |
| Lowell, MA | 114,170 | 126 | 25.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pompano Beach, FL | 114,068 | 111 | 11.0% |
| Downey, CA | 114,056 | 165 | 65.3% |
| Lakeland, FL | 114,288 | 103 | 2.5% |
| Pueblo, CO | 114,377 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Gresham, OR | 114,458 | 124 | 24.2% |
| Lowell, MA | 114,170 | 126 | 25.9% |
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