Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Lowell, MA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

Arlington is 71% more expensive than Lowell.

$2,275/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↓ 30%
$140,160/yr ↑ 84%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↓ 46%
$864,800 ↑ 119%
Home Value
$395,100 ↓ 54%
$2,414/mo ↑ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↓ 31%
235,463
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
9.0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $672/month cheaper in Lowell, saving renters about $8,064/year.

Median household income is $63,955/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Lowell — common questions

Is Arlington or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lowell is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Lowell?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $672/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Lowell?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $63,955/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Massachusetts?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Lowell has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,603/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Lowell details →

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