Boca Raton FL vs Worcester MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boca Raton
98,833
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 77.2% | 58.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $67,544 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $35,825 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 19.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 34.1% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 42.4% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 35.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 19.9% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.5% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.3 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA