Rents are 6% below what Lowell's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,304 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Lowell, MA is majority renter-occupied, 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lowell, MA has changed in 5 years
Rent in Lowell, MA has climbed 39.3% since 2021, going from about $1,654 per month to roughly $2,304 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in Lowell, MA now reports about $78,658, up from $64,489 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 17.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 114,804 to 118,368 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.1% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 27.4% to 30%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Lowell, MA reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Lowell on your salary?
At $2,304/mo, how Lowell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lowell rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lowell. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lowell
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Lowell is $2,304/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,408/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,055/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,565/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,475/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($78,658/yr), Lowell ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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What percentage of Lowell residents rent vs. own?
How does Lowell rent compare to the national average?
At $2,304/mo, rent takes ~35% of Lowell's median household income ($78,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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