Arlington, MA vs Lowell, MA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, MA and Lowell, MA is dramatic. Lowell is 44.7% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 173 while Lowell sits at 120, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,043/month compared to $1,603/month in Lowell — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lowell is more affordable at $395,100 median vs $885,000.

Median household income in Arlington is $141,440 compared to $76,205 in Lowell (+85.6%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Lowell.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 50.1°F). Arlington receives more rainfall at 42.6" per year compared to 40.9" in Lowell.