City Comparison

Lowell vs Oklahoma City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lowell

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

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

The Verdict

50.6%

Living in Oklahoma City costs 50.6% less than Lowell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lowell, you would need $49,809 in Oklahoma City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
152
Lowell
68
Oklahoma City
Groceries
104
Lowell
95
Oklahoma City
Utilities
151
Lowell
92
Oklahoma City
Transportation
108
Lowell
100
Oklahoma City
Healthcare
118
Lowell
92
Oklahoma City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lowell has the same purchasing power as $49,809 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $112,931 in Lowell.

Living in Lowell vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Lowell's housing index of 152 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $429,000 vs $195,000. The $234,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Lowell compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 151 in Lowell and 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $604 in Lowell vs $368 in Oklahoma City. 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 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,840 and $63,745 respectively. Oklahoma City 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma City is 50.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Lowell has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,809 in Oklahoma City, based on the cost of living difference.
Lowell's housing index is 152 with median homes at $429,000, while Oklahoma City's is 68 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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