Cost of Living: Palm Bay, FL vs Lowell, MA (2026)

Palm Bay

Florida
91
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

Palm Bay is 24% cheaper than Lowell.

$1,487/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↑ 8%
$67,521/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↑ 13%
$248,000 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$395,100 ↑ 59%
$1,203/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↑ 39%
125,273
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palm Bay, FL and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $116/month cheaper in Palm Bay, saving renters about $1,392/year.

Median household income is $8,684/year higher in Lowell. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palm Bay is $248,000 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm Bay vs Lowell — common questions

Is Palm Bay or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palm Bay is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palm Bay and Lowell?
Median rent in Palm Bay is $1,487/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $116/month.
Which city has higher income, Palm Bay or Lowell?
Median household income is $67,521 in Palm Bay and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $8,684/year higher in Lowell.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Massachusetts?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Palm Bay or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,487/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 Palm Bay details → View Lowell details →

More Comparisons

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