Cambridge 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.1 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 23.2% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 10.5% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 6.9% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Worcester
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $67,544 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $35,825 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 19.8% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 34.1% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Worcester
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Worcester
1086
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, 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
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 35.3% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 11.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.9% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 8.7% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.5% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, 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
Cambridge
28.3 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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