Lowell, MA vs Somerville, MA

The cost of living difference between Lowell, MA and Somerville, MA is dramatic. Lowell is 36.1% cheaper than Somerville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lowell has a cost index of 120 while Somerville sits at 187, 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 $2,468/month in Somerville — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lowell is more affordable at $395,100 median vs $899,400.

Median household income in Lowell is $76,205 compared to $127,056 in Somerville (-40%). While Somerville 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 23.3% in Somerville.

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