Lowell, Massachusetts, known as "The Mill City," is a historic and culturally rich community located in the Merrimack Valley. With its significant industrial heritage, vibrant arts scene, and strong sense of community, Lowell offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in Lowell an attractive option.
Residents of Lowell enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, museums, and historic sites provide ample opportunities for exploration and enrichment. The Lowell National Historical Park and the Boott Cotton Mills Museum are popular destinations that celebrate the city's industrial past. The annual Lowell Folk Festival and the Lowell Summer Music Series highlight the city's vibrant arts and culture scene.
Lowell's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including education, healthcare, and technology. The city is home to major employers such as the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Lowell General Hospital, providing ample job opportunities for residents. The presence of these institutions contributes to Lowell's vibrant economic and cultural environment.
The cost of living in Lowell is relatively affordable compared to other parts of Massachusetts, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Lowell is well-developed, with access to the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) buses and the MBTA commuter rail, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Lowell's climate features four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Lowell offers a blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Lowell, Massachusetts is a medium-sized city with a population of 111,311 inhabitants. In Lowell, there are 8,178 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Lowell, only 42% of the population is married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Lowell is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Lowell can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of Massachusetts, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like cost of living, commute, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Lowell and in the areas around Lowell is a much easier task.
With a livability score of 81/100, Lowell is ranked #989 in the United States and #30 in Massachusetts. This is a great score, as Lowell ranks well in multiple categories! Lowell is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Lowell ranks very well for amenities (A+), crime (B-), employment (B-) and housing (B+). The bad news for Lowell, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (F).
If you're considering living in Lowell, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Lowell provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Lowell are: Lowell National Historical Park, Boott Cotton Mills Museum, and American Textile History Museum.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Lowell has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Lowell. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Lowell are affordable. Median real estate prices in Lowell come in at $285,200, which is 16.4% lower than the Massachusetts average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lowell, the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 4.2% lower than the Massachusetts average.
| Statistic | Lowell | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.6% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.1% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.3% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.3% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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