Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 205,501 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 53.3% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 29.0% | 12.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $35,825 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 34.1% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $435,532 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 42.4% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.3% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 48.1 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.3 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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