Moving from Boston, MA to Lowell, MA
The drive from Boston to Lowell covers 30 mi in about 47 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
30 mi · 47 min by car · MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 3, I 93, MA 110 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Manchester |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Lowell and Boston are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.266 vs 108.266); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lowell typical home at $480,319 is 0.0% under Boston at $798,217 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 48.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.9°F vs 49.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.71 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $94,755 in Boston vs $76,205 in Lowell.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $798,217 in Boston — a 39.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $94,755 in Boston — a 19.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lowell, MA from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 47 min via US 3 and I 93. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Boston to Lowell?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Lowell, MA.