Moving from Manchester, NH to Lowell, MA
It is a short 34 mi hop from Manchester, NH to Lowell, MA β roughly 47 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
34 mi Β· 47 min by car Β· NH β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | NH β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 93, MA 110, NH 101 |
| Major cities en route | Boston, Cambridge |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Manchester and Lowell sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Lowell run about 2.5% pricier β ZHVI $435,334 β $480,319 (2026-03).
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Manchester | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 13Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 48.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 47.4Β°F vs 49.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.71 |
Household income lines up β $77,415 vs $76,205 on 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 New Hampshire 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
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather β check NH 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Lowell more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lowell is 2.5% higher than Manchester (108.266 vs 105.657, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $77,415 in Manchester β a 1.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $435,334 in Manchester β a 10.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lowell, MA from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 34 mi and the route typically takes 47 min via I 93 and MA 110. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Manchester to Lowell?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 34 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH Β· Lowell, MA.