Arlington vs Lowell

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $102,344 in Lowell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $54,962 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Lowell

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $429,000. The $169,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $494/month in Lowell. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington 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 100 in Arlington and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $60,840 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/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 Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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