Irving vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Lowell
The Verdict
Irving is 23.7% less expensive than Lowell overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $98,250 in Lowell to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $98,250 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $57,252 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $429,000. The $111,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,212 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $60,840 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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