Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Irving
36.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 205,501 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.1 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 23.2% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 12.9% | 12.1% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 6.9% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 24.9% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $67,544 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $35,825 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.8% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 34.1% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $435,532 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 35.3% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.9% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.1% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.5% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.3 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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