City Comparison

Killeen vs Lowell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

Lowell

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

The Verdict

35.9%

Living in Killeen costs 35.9% less than Lowell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Killeen, you would need $116,964 in Lowell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
56
Killeen
152
Lowell
Groceries
96
Killeen
104
Lowell
Utilities
108
Killeen
151
Lowell
Transportation
95
Killeen
108
Lowell
Healthcare
96
Killeen
118
Lowell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $116,964 in Lowell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $48,092 in Killeen.

Living in Killeen vs Lowell

Housing Costs

Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $429,000. The $194,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,612 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen vs $494/month in Lowell. Killeen offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Killeen and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen 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 96 in Killeen and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,400 in Killeen and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $60,840 respectively. Killeen residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Killeen, median rent of $975/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 96 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 35.9% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $116,964 in Lowell, based on the cost of living difference.
Killeen's housing index is 56 with median homes at $235,000, while Lowell's is 152 with median homes at $429,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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