Lowell vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lowell
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 61.7%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lowell has equivalent purchasing power to $46,374 in Roanoke.
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 $46,374 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $121,296 in Lowell.
Living in Lowell vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Lowell's housing index of 152 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $429,000 vs $225,000. The $204,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,260 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Lowell compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Lowell and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Lowell vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $604 in Lowell vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 Roanoke. 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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,840 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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