City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Lowell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

Lowell

Massachusetts
131
Expensive
$429,000
Median Home
$1,925/mo
Median Rent
$79,700
Median Income

The Verdict

19.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.8%, with Colorado Springs being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to $93,571 in Lowell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
152
Lowell
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
104
Lowell
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
151
Lowell
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
108
Lowell
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
118
Lowell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $93,571 in Lowell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $60,115 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Lowell

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $429,000. The $49,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs 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 93 in Colorado Springs and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs 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 104 in Colorado Springs and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 and $60,840 respectively. Colorado Springs residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colorado Springs is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,571 in Lowell, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Lowell's is 152 with median homes at $429,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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