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City Report · MA

Lowell

Pop. 118,368·88th most expensive in Massachusetts·Rental market data updated monthly for Lowell, MA
Median rent (all units)
$2,316/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.3%
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
+$351
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lowell · $2,316
More expensive than 73% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
60/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Lowell's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,316/mo
Expected by trend
$2,433/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lowell's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,408
1 BR
$1,565
2 BR
$2,055
3 BR
$2,475
4 BR+
$2,723
Research median
$2,055/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$27,792/yr
At $2,316/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.3% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lowell, MA is majority renter-occupied, 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
118,368
Median income
$78,658
Median age
35.6
Renters
56.8%
Age distribution
21.7%
27.3%
25.5%
12.8%
12.6%
Under 1821.7%
18–3427.3%
35–5425.5%
55–6412.8%
65+12.6%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
46.7%
20%
22.2%
White46.7%
Black10.3%
Hispanic20%
Asian22.2%
Other0.8%
Education (25+)
17.1%
31%
22%
30%
No HS diploma17.1%
HS diploma31%
Some college22%
Bachelor's+30%
Housing tenure
43.2%
56.8%
Owner43.2%
Renter56.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lowell, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,654 → $2,316
up 40.0%
Income
$64,489 → $78,658
up 22.0%
Population
114,804 → 118,368
up 3.1%
Renter share
56.8% → 56.8%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
27.4% → 30%
+2.6 pts
Median age
34.4 → 35.6
+1.2 yrs

Rent in Lowell, MA has climbed 40.0% since 2021, going from about $1,654 per month to roughly $2,316 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 18.0 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.

Community

Discussions about Lowell

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View Lowell rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lowell on your salary?

At $2,316/mo, how Lowell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lowell rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lowell. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lowell

About renting in Lowell, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lowell is $2,316/mo as of July 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 2.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lowell an affordable city for renters?

Lowell is considered moderate for renters. At $2,316/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($78,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lowell slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lowell?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $93,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,316/mo in Lowell. The local median household income is $78,658/yr, meaning the typical Lowell household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lowell?

Rent in Lowell has increased 2.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lowell neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lowell are 01850 ($2,175/mo), 01852 ($2,272/mo), and 01851 ($2,342/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lowell is $2,316/mo.

How does Lowell rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Lowell is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #88 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,316/mo.

What percentage of Lowell residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.8% of Lowell households are renters, while 43.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Lowell has a strong rental market.

How does Lowell rent compare to the national average?

Lowell's median rent of $2,316/mo is $351 (18%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #88 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,316/mo, rent takes ~35% of Lowell's median household income ($78,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lowell 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Lowell affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lowell, MA

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