Davenport IA 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)

Davenport, IA

Iowa · Population: 101,083

  • Median HH Income$64,497
  • Median Home Price$191,117
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+30.0%

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
Davenport
101,083
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Worcester
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Worcester
42.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Worcester
1086
Worcester +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
Worcester
48.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Worcester
27.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Davenport & Worcester