Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 205,501 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 38.0% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 6.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 6.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 24.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $435,532 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 42.4% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.5% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 48.1 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.3 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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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