Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 205,501 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 83.6% | 58.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $67,544 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $35,825 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.4% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.8% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 34.1% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 42.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Worcester
1086
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 326 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1086 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 48.1 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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