Davenport vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Davenport
Lowell
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 36.6%, with Davenport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to $118,373 in Lowell.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $118,373 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $47,519 in Davenport.
Living in Davenport vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Davenport's housing index of 60 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $429,000. The $217,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,100 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport vs $494/month in Lowell. Davenport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Davenport and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport 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 97 in Davenport and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $60,840 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Davenport, median rent of $900/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 92 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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