City Comparison · 2026
Lowell vs New York City
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lowell = $173k in New York City
Metric
Lowell
New York City
COL Index
✓1.23
2.13
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,700/mo
$3,500/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,150/mo
$4,500/mo
State Income Tax
MA
NY
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,736
$73,522
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.26%
26.48%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$53,336
$31,522
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lowell MA | New York City NY |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,248 $3,937/mo · 21.25% eff. | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,736 $6,145/mo · 26.26% eff. | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,778 $8,815/mo · 29.48% eff. | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowell or New York City cheaper to live in?
Lowell has a cost-of-living index of 1.23 while New York City is 2.13 (1.00 = US average). Lowell is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lowell is $1,700/month vs $3,500/month in New York City.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Lowell?
$100k in Lowell = $173k in New York City. Cost of living in New York City is higher by 73.2%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lowell or New York City?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,736 in MA (Lowell) and $73,522 in NY (New York City). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $53,336 in Lowell vs $31,522 in New York City.
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