Lowell vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lowell
Racine
The Verdict
Living in Racine costs 48.9% less than Lowell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lowell, you would need $50,382 in Racine.
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 $50,382 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $111,648 in Lowell.
Living in Lowell vs Racine
Housing Costs
Lowell's housing index of 152 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $429,000 vs $126,000. The $303,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,692 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Lowell compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Lowell and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Lowell vs $461/month in Racine. Racine offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 151 in Lowell and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $604 in Lowell vs $376 in Racine. 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 111 in Racine. 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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,840 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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