Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Boston
47.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 205,501 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.1 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 23.2% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 21.5% | 12.1% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 6.9% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Worcester
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $67,544 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $35,825 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 19.8% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 34.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Worcester
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Worcester
1086
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 35.3% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.4% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.9% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.7% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.5% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 48.1 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | 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
Boston
33.1 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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