salaryLowell is the 5th-largest city in Massachusetts that we track, with 118,368 residents. Rent is higher than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $80,680 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 49 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lowell?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lowell
| Size | Lowell | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $943 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,468 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,817 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,177 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,259 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lowell overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Lowell, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Lowell
Life in Lowell
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lowell?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $961 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $429,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $42,920 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lowell, MA?
Renting in Lowell costs a median of about $2,017 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Lowell?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $80,680 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lowell cheap or expensive?
Lowell is rated OK: rent takes 28.5% of the typical household income of $84,833. It ranks 49th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lowell?
The median homeowner in Lowell pays $4,499 a year in property taxes, about 1.05% of the median home value.
Is Lowell more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lowell?
The median home value in Lowell is $429,200, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
118,368 people live in Lowell. Numbers are typical (middle) values.