Moving from Lowell, MA to Grand Prairie, TX
Cross-country relocations like Lowell, MA β Grand Prairie, TX cover 1783 mi and about 33h 7m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1783 mi Β· 33h 7m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Grand Prairie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Grand Prairie and Lowell are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.266 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Grand Prairie typical home at $316,527 is 4.8% under Lowell at $480,319 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Grand Prairie -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 41.1" |
NOAA normals show Grand Prairie running 16.6Β°F above Lowell on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, JOE POOL LAKE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 198,564 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $78,889 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.97 |
Household income lines up β $76,205 vs $78,889 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Grand Prairie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Massachusetts and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Grand Prairie average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Grand Prairie compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,527 in Grand Prairie vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 34.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Grand Prairie, TX from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 1783 mi and the route typically takes 33h 7m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Grand Prairie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,889 in Grand Prairie vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 3.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lowell to Grand Prairie?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1783 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Grand Prairie more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Grand Prairie is 4.8% lower than Lowell (103.09 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Grand Prairie, TX.