City Comparison

Lowell vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lowell

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

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

22.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.4%, with Ogden being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lowell has equivalent purchasing power to $61,260 in Ogden.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
152
Lowell
112
Ogden
Groceries
104
Lowell
92
Ogden
Utilities
151
Lowell
80
Ogden
Transportation
108
Lowell
101
Ogden
Healthcare
118
Lowell
91
Ogden

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lowell has the same purchasing power as $61,260 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $91,822 in Lowell.

Living in Lowell vs Ogden

Housing Costs

Lowell's housing index of 152 is higher Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $429,000 vs $385,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Lowell compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Lowell and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Lowell vs $437/month in Ogden. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 151 in Lowell and 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $604 in Lowell vs $320 in Ogden. 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 118 in Lowell and 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $79,700 in Lowell and $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,840 and $65,514 respectively. Ogden residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,860/month to housing in Lowell vs $1,636/month in Ogden. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ogden is 22.4% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Lowell has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,260 in Ogden, based on the cost of living difference.
Lowell's housing index is 152 with median homes at $429,000, while Ogden's is 112 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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