City Comparison

Lowell vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lowell

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

54.1%

Living in Tyler costs 54.1% less than Lowell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lowell, you would need $48,664 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
152
Lowell
69
Tyler
Groceries
104
Lowell
96
Tyler
Utilities
151
Lowell
97
Tyler
Transportation
108
Lowell
92
Tyler
Healthcare
118
Lowell
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lowell has the same purchasing power as $48,664 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $115,588 in Lowell.

Living in Lowell vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Lowell's housing index of 152 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $429,000 vs $250,000. The $179,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,640 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 Tyler, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Lowell and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Lowell vs $456/month in Tyler. Tyler offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 151 in Lowell and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $604 in Lowell vs $388 in Tyler. 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 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,840 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 54.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Lowell has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $48,664 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Lowell's housing index is 152 with median homes at $429,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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