Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.1 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 59.2% | 58.0% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 34.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $435,532 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.3% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.5% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 48.1 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.3 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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