Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Lowell, MA

    Is Lowell a good place to live?

    Watch Lowell

    Lowell ranks #46 of 64 Massachusetts cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (41/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.1% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $395,100
    +8.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,603
    per month
    Household income
    $76,205
    median
    Unemployment
    5.4%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Lowell

    The median home value in Lowell is $395,100 and median rent is $1,603 a month, against a median household income of $76,205. Homes cost about 5.2× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Lowell crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Massachusetts the 2025 rate was 301 violent and 1,036 property crimes per 100,000 people — #42 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Lowell, MA

    Lowell has about 114,799 residents, 5.4% unemployment and 18% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Lowell with

    Lowell vs BostonLowell vs WorcesterLowell vs SpringfieldLowell vs CambridgeLowell vs BrocktonLowell vs QuincyLowell vs LynnLowell vs New Bedford

    More: Where to move in Massachusetts · Best counties in Massachusetts

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report