2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lowell, MA vs Portland, OR

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Portland or is it cheaper to live in Lowell?
- Portland is 11.7% less expensive than Lowell.

Which city has more affordable housing, Portland or Lowell?
- Portland housing costs are 40.4% more expensive than Lowell housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lowell or is Health Care more affordable in Portland.
- Health related expenses are 2.8% more in Portland.
 Lowell, MAPortland, ORUnited States
 Overall144.7127.7100
 Food & Groceries106.2103.7100
 Health88.190.6100
 Housing131.1184.1100
 Median Home Cost$405,500$537,200$338,100
 Utilities11,590.0%7,990.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation98.2129.9100
 Miscellaneous177.0140.1100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Lowell    4 Reviews

Lowell... what a city! Remember to read the plaques on each sewer reminding our residents not to wash your daily garbage down the gutters. Remember, here in Lowell,  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

We are in a quiet neighbor hood with modtly elderly people on our street, I have always lived in this city and I wouldn't change for any place in the U.S.A I love the  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Many parts of Middlesex county have become incredibly congested and overcrowded in recent years due to immigration. Some white flight taking place in Lowell, though  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lowell

Reviews for Portland    386 Reviews

I lived in Portland for 19 years (I've also lived in Boise, ID, the Bay Area, Austin, TX and now Nampa, ID). It drives me nuts when people try to give a large city a  More

   |    Reply

One of the best cities in America. Food scene is the best in the world. Weather is preferable over places where you have the same weather year round. I enjoy the  More

   |    Reply

I moved from Houston to Portland about a year ago. I remember reading the reviews on here and it making me second guess moving before I did, so I wanted to come back and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Portland



PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.

Try Now


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.