Moving from Lowell, MA to Boston, MA
The drive from Lowell to Boston 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
| Lowell | Boston | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Boston and Lowell is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Boston is 0.0% above Lowell — $480,319 vs $798,217 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Boston -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lowell | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 49.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 43.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Lowell (49.0°F) and Boston (51.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Boston averages 49.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 663,972 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $94,755 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 28.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.38 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.0% between Lowell and Boston (ACS 2023).
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Boston averages 49.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Boston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,755 in Boston vs $76,205 in Lowell — a 24.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Boston compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $798,217 in Boston vs $480,319 in Lowell — a 66.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lowell to Boston?
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.
How far is Boston, MA from Lowell, 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA · Boston, MA.