Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 23.2% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 58.0% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 6.9% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $67,544 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $35,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 19.8% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 34.1% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 35.3% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.4% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.9% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.7% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 48.1 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
Compare More Cities
Glendale, CA vs New York, NYGlendale, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Glendale, CAGlendale, CA vs Houston, TXGlendale, CA vs Phoenix, AZGlendale, CA vs Philadelphia, PA