Brookline, MA vs Lowell, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Lowell, MA is dramatic. Lowell is 87.9% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 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 Brookline is $2,804/month compared to $1,603/month in Lowell — a 75% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lowell is more affordable at $395,100 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $76,205 in Lowell (+84.5%). The higher salaries in Brookline partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookline spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Lowell.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.1°F). Brookline receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 40.9" in Lowell.