Lowell, MA vs Newton, MA

The cost of living difference between Lowell, MA and Newton, MA is dramatic. Lowell is 42.9% cheaper than Newton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lowell has a cost index of 120 while Newton sits at 210, 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 $2,388/month in Newton — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lowell is more affordable at $395,100 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in Lowell is $76,205 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-58.8%). While Newton 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, more than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 40.9" in Lowell.