Moving from Lowell, MA to Toledo, OH
It is 770 mi between Lowell and Toledo β roughly 14h 39m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
770 mi Β· 14h 39m by car Β· OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Akron, Stamford, Bridgeport, Waterbury |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.5% cheaper overall in Toledo than Lowell on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 32.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.27 |
Toledo households earn about 15.5% less than Lowell at the median β $76,205 β $47,532 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Massachusetts and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 73.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lowell to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 37.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Toledo more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 15.5% lower than Lowell (91.455 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Toledo, OH from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 770 mi and the route typically takes 14h 39m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 5 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 Β· Toledo, OH.