Austin vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Austin
Lowell
💡 The Verdict
Austin is 21% cheaper than Lowell overall. A $75,000 salary in Austin is equivalent to $94,626 in Lowell.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Austin (left) vs Lowell (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Austin versus Lowell. Differences shown from Austin perspective.
| Item | Austin | Lowell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,280/mo | $1,280/mo | $0.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,700/mo | $1,900/mo | $-200.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,180/mo | $2,460/mo | $-280.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.33 | $4.04 | $-1.71 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.02 | $5.13 | $-1.11 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.51 | $4.50 | $-1.99 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.16 | $7.35 | $-2.19 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.41 | $3.88 | $-0.47 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.80 | $20.26 | $-5.46 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Austin has the same purchasing power as $94,626 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $59,444 in Austin.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3751 difference is driven by Massachusetts having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Massachusetts details →
Reading These Numbers: Austin (107) vs Lowell (135)
Austin at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Lowell at 135 is 35% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Austin, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 123, followed by groceries (96), utilities (97), transportation (102), and healthcare (97). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/mo in Austin and $1,900/mo in Lowell, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,400.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $12,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $46,000.0 difference in median home prices between Austin and Lowell translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Austin vs Lowell
Choosing between Austin and Lowell involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Austin against Lowell, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.