Chelmsford vs Lowell
You are paying about $250k more for a 4BR in Chelmsford, and in exchange you get the stronger schools. That is the trade in plain terms: $250k for two tiers of schooling.
On tax, look past the rate: Lowell works out roughly $4,300 a year cheaper on its own median 4BR.
Choose Chelmsford if you want the stronger schools of the two, or the commute matters most.
All Chelmsford numbers →Choose Lowell if you want the lower price, or you want a train.
All Lowell numbers →Side by side
The better of the two is highlighted on each row. Where a row is not highlighted, the two are close enough that calling a winner would be false precision.
| Chelmsford | Lowell | |
|---|---|---|
| School tier | strong schoolsT2 | mixed schoolsT4 |
| MCAS percentile | 74th | 24th |
| Niche district rank | 59th of 236 | — |
| 4BR house | $775kT2 | $525kT1 |
| 2BR condo | $450k | $320k |
| Commute to Boston | 57 minT3 | 58 minT3 |
| MBTA rail | No MBTA rail | Commuter rail · ~47 min to terminal |
| Tax rate | $13.27T3 | $11.35T2 |
| Est. tax bill on that 4BR | ≈$10,300 | ≈$6,000 |
| 3BR rent | $3,227/mo | $2,637/mo |
Prices are estimates calibrated to the Zillow Home Value Index and Redfin; tax rates are FY2026 residential rates and the bill applies that rate to the town’s own median 4BR estimate; commutes take the rail leg from the MBTA timetable and still model the drive; rents are HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents. School tiers are editorial and shown next to the state’s own MCAS figures. Data last reviewed — see the methodology. This comparison never uses demographics as an input.
