Lowell vs Manchester: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Lowell, MA and Manchester, NH, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Manchester, NH |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,737 | 115,037 |
| Median household income | $73,008 | $74,040 |
| Median home value | $362,800 | $304,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,466 | $1,362 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Lowell, MA and Manchester, NH comes down to what you value most. Manchester has the lower median home value, and Manchester has the lower median rent.
Manchester has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Lowell or Manchester?
- By median home value, Manchester is the cheaper of the two ($304,700 vs $362,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Lowell or Manchester?
- Median household income is $73,008 in Lowell versus $74,040 in Manchester, per the US Census Bureau.