Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 67.7% | 58.0% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $67,544 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.4% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.8% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 42.4% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.3% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.4% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, 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 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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