Lowell, MA Salary Guide: The Real Take-Home on $100k

In Lowell, the $100,000 salary benchmark is a psychological milestone. But the gap between your Gross and your Net is where the reality of living in the Bay State hits.

This guide breaks down the raw math of your paycheck, the purchasing power of your net pay, and how Lowell stacks up against the heavy hitters of American taxation.

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The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s strip away the HR jargon and look at the cold, hard cash hitting your bank account.

The Sticker Price: $100,000
The Reality: $73,736

When you sign a contract for six figures, you are immediately writing a check to the government for $26,264. That is a 26.3% effective tax rate before you’ve bought a single coffee.

Here is the ledger for a single filer in Lowell:

Deduction Category	Amount	Impact
Federal Tax	-$13,614	The largest slice of the pie.
FICA (Social Sec/Medicare)	-$7,650	Non-negotiable.
Massachusetts State Tax	-$5,000	The "Privilege of Living Here" fee.
Local Tax	$0	Lowell does not levy a local income tax.
Net Pay	$73,736	Your Real Annual Power

The Verdict: You lose over $2,100 a month purely to taxation. If you budget based on $100k, you will be insolvent by March. You must budget based on the $73,736 reality.

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Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With a monthly net of $6,145, the standard 50/30/20 rule offers a disciplined framework. But does it hold up in Lowell’s specific housing market?

Needs: $3,072 (50%)

Target: Rent, Utilities, Groceries, Transport.

Can you survive on $3,072/month in Lowell?

• Housing: The median rent for a one-bedroom in Lowell hovers around $2,000–$2,200.
• The Math: If you secure a unit for $2,100, you have $972 remaining for utilities, insurance, and food.

Analysis: This is tight. To strictly adhere to the 50% rule, you may need a roommate or to find a rental slightly below market rate. If your rent pushes $2,400+, this category bleeds into your "Wants" budget, sacrificing financial freedom.

Wants: $1,843 (30%)

Target: Dining out, hobbies, subscriptions.

This is your "Lifestyle" bucket. $1,843 is a healthy number for a single professional in Lowell. It covers:

• Friday nights at the Lowell Brewing Company.
• A gym membership (maybe even the premium ones).
• Weekend trips to Portland or Boston.

If you keep housing costs low (shared apartment or cheaper studio), this category balloons, offering significant disposable income.

Savings: $1,229 (20%)

Target: Investments, 401k, Emergency Fund.

This is the wealth builder.

Saving $1,229 a month puts you on track to max out a Roth IRA ($7,000) and have over $7,700 left for a brokerage account or debt repayment.

Power Move: If you can rent for $1,700 instead of $2,100, you unlock an extra $400/month. Pushing total savings to $1,629 accelerates wealth creation significantly.

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Lowell Taxes vs The Competition

Is the Massachusetts tax burden justified? Let’s compare the "Tax Drag" on a $100k salary.

Lowell vs. New York City, NY

• Lowell Net: $73,736
• NYC Net: ~$68,000 (Est.)
• Result: NYC bleeds you dry with a double whammy of high State and City taxes. Lowell saves you roughly $5,700/year over NYC.

Lowell vs. Austin, Texas

• Lowell Net: $73,736
• Austin Net: ~$74,500 (Est., no state income tax)
• Result: Texas wins on income tax, but not by much. The gap is roughly $760/year.
• The Catch: Austin has higher property taxes and sales taxes. When you factor in the cost of living (and car dependency), Lowell’s $5,000 state tax is a "subscription fee" for walkability and robust public transit.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Lowell?
A: You are subject to the Massachusetts Flat Income Tax Rate of 5% on ordinary income. There is no local city income tax applied in Lowell.

Q: Is $100,000 a good salary in Lowell?
A: Yes. A $100,000 salary provides a take-home pay of roughly $6,145/month. This is well above the median household income for the city and allows for comfortable living, provided you manage housing costs (rent or mortgage) effectively.

Q: Does Lowell have a local city tax?
A: No. Lowell does not levy a local income tax on residents, unlike some municipalities in other states (like those in Pennsylvania or Ohio).

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Disclaimer: This guide utilizes IRS 2026 tax brackets for projection, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for cost-of-living context, and Massachusetts State Comptroller data for state tax verification. Calculations are estimates for a single filer taking the standard deduction.