Lowell vs New Bedford

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lowell has the same purchasing power as $64,122 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $87,723 in Lowell.

Living in Lowell vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Lowell's housing index of 152 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $429,000 vs $371,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Lowell compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Lowell and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Lowell vs $494/month in New Bedford. 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 151 in Lowell and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $604 in Lowell vs $580 in New Bedford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 118 in Lowell and 118 in New Bedford. 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 $79,700 in Lowell and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,840 and $50,893 respectively. Lowell residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,860/month to housing in Lowell vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases