2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Norfolk, VA vs Lowell, MA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lowell or is it cheaper to live in Norfolk?
- Lowell is 58.3% more expensive than Norfolk.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lowell or Norfolk?
- Lowell housing costs are 57.8% more expensive than Norfolk housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Norfolk or is Health Care more affordable in Lowell.
- Health related expenses are 16.4% less in Lowell.
 Norfolk, VALowell, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock144.7100
 Food & Groceries97.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.1100
 Housing83.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$405,500$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock98.2100
 Miscellaneous109.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Norfolk    41 Reviews

I've lived in Norfolk for most of my life, and I love it here. I love the maker scene, and the new breweries. The arts scene, especially the theater side is always  More

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Over 8 years ago

I have lived in Norfolk VA for 11 months and,I cant wait to leave.It is full of crime ,homeless and undeveloped city.Public transportation is terrible and its wet and  More

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Over 8 years ago

I was born in Norfolk, and lived in Norfolk and Virginia Beach until my early 20s. Here are 10 things that are 100% true about Norfolk you may have heard before: 1) It's  More

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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

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Over 18 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

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Over 19 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

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