Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 205,501 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 36.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 46.8% | 12.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $435,532 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.9% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 48.1 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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