Moving from Boulder, CO to Lowell, MA
Moving from Boulder, CO to Lowell, MA is a 1995 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 24m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1995 mi Β· 36h 24m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Boston, Cambridge, Manchester, Worcester, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Boulder (105.202) and Lowell (108.266) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Lowell: 2.9% below Boulder on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 48.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.71 |
Median household income in Lowell is 2.9% below Boulder ($85,364 β $76,205, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Lowell?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1995 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lowell more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lowell is 2.9% higher than Boulder (108.266 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lowell, MA from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1995 mi and the route typically takes 36h 24m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 10.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 50.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Lowell, MA.