Amsterdam vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amsterdam
Lowell
The Verdict
Amsterdam is 18.3% less expensive than Lowell overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amsterdam would need approximately $91,822 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 Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $91,822 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $61,260 in Amsterdam.
Living in Amsterdam vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $429,000. The $166,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,788 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $494/month in Lowell. Amsterdam offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam 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 90 in Amsterdam and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 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 $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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