Moving from Cleveland, OH to Lowell, MA
A move from Cleveland, OH to Lowell, MA covers 646 mi and around 12h 38m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
646 mi Β· 12h 38m by car Β· OH β PA β NY β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β PA β NY β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 271, I 495 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Hartford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.3% pricier overall in Lowell than Cleveland on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lowell typical home at $480,319 is 15.3% above Cleveland at $115,537 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 48.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.3Β°F vs 49.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.71 |
Median household income in Lowell is 15.3% above Cleveland ($39,187 vs $76,205, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Moving between Ohio 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Lowell, MA from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 646 mi and the route typically takes 12h 38m via I 90 and I 271. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lowell more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lowell is 15.3% higher than Cleveland (108.266 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Lowell?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 646 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 315.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 94.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Lowell, MA.