Moving from Worcester, MA to Lowell, MA
It is a short 41 mi hop from Worcester, MA to Lowell, MA — roughly 54 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
41 mi · 54 min by car · MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 495, I 290, MA 110 |
| Major cities en route | Cambridge, Boston, Manchester |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Worcester | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.6% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Worcester | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 48.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Worcester (48.1°F) and Lowell (49.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.71 |
Households in Lowell earn about 5.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Lowell, MA from Worcester, MA?
The driving distance is 41 mi and the route typically takes 54 min via I 495 and I 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Worcester 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 41 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $430,112 in Worcester — a 11.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lowell more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lowell is 5.6% higher than Worcester (108.266 vs 102.523, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Worcester vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $67,544 in Worcester — a 12.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA · Lowell, MA.