Allentown vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Lowell
The Verdict
Allentown is 25.2% less expensive than Lowell overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $100,255 in Lowell to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $100,255 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $56,107 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $429,000. The $197,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,804 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $494/month in Lowell. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $604 in Lowell. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 35-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $60,840 respectively. Lowell residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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