City Comparison

Concord vs Lowell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

Lowell

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

The Verdict

12.2%

Living in Lowell costs 12.2% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $66,837 in Lowell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
152
Lowell
Groceries
112
Concord
104
Lowell
Utilities
147
Concord
151
Lowell
Transportation
137
Concord
108
Lowell
Healthcare
121
Concord
118
Lowell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $66,837 in Lowell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $84,160 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Lowell

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $429,000. The $251,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $494/month in Lowell. Lowell offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $604 in Lowell. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 121 in Concord and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $109,000 in Concord and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $60,840 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,543/month to housing in Concord vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lowell is 12.2% more affordable overall with an index of 131 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,837 in Lowell, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Lowell's is 152 with median homes at $429,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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