True Cost of Renting in Lowell, MA

Lowell was the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution — its 19th-century mill buildings are now converted to lofts, museums, and tech offices. The Lowell National Historical Park makes it the Northeast's most intact mill city. MBTA Commuter Rail to Boston North Station takes 50–60 minutes. UMass Lowell drives local rental demand.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Downtown / Acre

Studio:
$1,100/mo
1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$1,900/mo

City center with mill building loft conversions and newer apartments; proximity to MBTA Lowell Station and UMass Lowell. Diverse community with strong Southeast Asian heritage. Eversource electric. Monthly MBTA pass to Boston North Station ~$250.

Belvidere / Highlands

Studio:
$1,000/mo
1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

Lowell's more residential western neighborhoods; Belvidere is the more desirable area with lower crime. Mix of apartment buildings and converted homes. Bus access to Downtown MBTA. Car helpful for non-transit errands.

Chelmsford Adjacent

1 Bed:
$1,500/mo
2 Bed:
$2,100/mo

Adjacent suburban town with safer neighborhoods and apartment complexes; car required. Higher school ratings than Lowell. I-495 and Route 3 access to technology employment corridor (Burlington, Woburn, Billerica).

Utility Providers

Electric
Eversource Energy
Water
Lowell Regional Water Utility
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, Verizon, Spectrum

Commute & Transportation

MBTA Lowell Commuter Rail connects to Boston North Station in 50–60 minutes. Monthly passes run approximately $245–260. Route 3 (the Middlesex Turnpike) connects south to Cambridge and Boston's northern technology corridor. I-495 connects west to Worcester and east toward the coast. UMass Lowell employs 3,000+ and is a major presence. Raytheon Technologies and other defense and technology companies are significant employers in the broader Merrimack Valley.

Rental Market Overview

Lowell offers genuine value for Boston commuters — 50-minute MBTA ride at rents 45–55% below Boston. The mill building loft conversions are architecturally distinctive and popular. UMass Lowell's growing enrollment supports a vibrant student and young professional market. Eversource rates apply statewide. Monthly MBTA passes add approximately $250. Renters insurance averages $14–20/month. Lowell's Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese communities create exceptional authentic Asian restaurants that are a genuine lifestyle asset.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Lowell

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Lowell: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Lowell?
One-bedroom apartments in Lowell range from $1,300/month in Belvidere / Highlands to $1,500/month in Chelmsford Adjacent. Two-bedroom units range from $1,800 to $2,100/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Lowell?
In Lowell, electricity is provided by Eversource Energy, water by Lowell Regional Water Utility, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, Verizon, Spectrum. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Lowell?
Belvidere / Highlands is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Lowell, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,300/month. Lowell's more residential western neighborhoods; Belvidere is the more desirable area with lower crime. Mix of apartment buildings and converted homes. Bus access to Downtown MBTA. Car helpful for non-transit errands. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Lowell expensive to rent in?
Lowell offers genuine value for Boston commuters — 50-minute MBTA ride at rents 45–55% below Boston. The mill building loft conversions are architecturally distinctive and popular. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Lowell — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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