City Comparison

Greeley vs Lowell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Greeley

Colorado
113
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$72,500
Median Income

Lowell

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

The Verdict

13.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.7%, with Greeley being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Greeley has equivalent purchasing power to $86,947 in Lowell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
136
Greeley
152
Lowell
Groceries
95
Greeley
104
Lowell
Utilities
89
Greeley
151
Lowell
Transportation
110
Greeley
108
Lowell
Healthcare
97
Greeley
118
Lowell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Greeley has the same purchasing power as $86,947 in Lowell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $64,695 in Greeley.

Living in Greeley vs Lowell

Housing Costs

Greeley's housing index of 136 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $429,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Greeley compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Greeley and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Greeley vs $494/month in Lowell. Greeley offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Greeley and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Greeley 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 Greeley 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 $72,500 in Greeley and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,159 and $60,840 respectively. Greeley residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,692/month to housing in Greeley vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Greeley, median rent of $1,275/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 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greeley is 13.7% more affordable overall with an index of 113 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Greeley has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,947 in Lowell, based on the cost of living difference.
Greeley's housing index is 136 with median homes at $420,000, while Lowell's is 152 with median homes at $429,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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