Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 205,501 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 23.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 22.9% | 12.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 24.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,825 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.8% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.1% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $435,532 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.9% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.5% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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