Salary Needed to Live in Lowell as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $68,516/year to live comfortably in Lowell, MA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $68,516/year to live comfortably in Lowell, MA. The bare-minimum salary is $59,000/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,997.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,540/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,710/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$68,516
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$59,000
$4,917/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,540
2% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Lowell
| Expense | Lowell | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,130 | $1,351 | -16% |
| Groceries | $244 | $207 | +18% |
| Utilities | $161 | $169 | -5% |
| Transportation | $273 | $316 | -14% |
| Car Insurance | $211 | $229 | -8% |
| Health Insurance | $810 | $690 | +17% |
| Internet | $72 | $65 | +11% |
| Phone | $94 | $85 | +11% |
| Dining & Social | $330 | $300 | +10% |
| Entertainment | $132 | $120 | +10% |
| Personal Care | $83 | $75 | +11% |
| Total Monthly | $3,540 | $3,607 | -2% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,540
Target savings (10%):$457/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,997
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$68,516
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,130
Studio/1BR rent is 32% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus MA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$457/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
110/100
Lowell is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,130/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $711/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $59,000/year as the survival floor and $68,516/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Lowell
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Lowell?
A single person needs approximately $68,516/year ($5,710/month gross) to live comfortably in Lowell with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Lowell?
A studio/1br in Lowell costs approximately $1,130/month, which is the largest single expense at 32% of the total budget.
Is Lowell affordable for a single person?
Lowell is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.