Lowell, MA vs Medford, MA

The cost of living difference between Lowell, MA and Medford, MA is dramatic. Lowell is 30.6% cheaper than Medford, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lowell has a cost index of 120 while Medford sits at 172, 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 Lowell is $1,603/month compared to $2,477/month in Medford — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lowell is more affordable at $395,100 median vs $715,500.

Median household income in Lowell is $76,205 compared to $118,089 in Medford (-35.5%). While Medford is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lowell spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Medford.

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