Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 205,501 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 51.2% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 30.1% | 12.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $35,825 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 19.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $435,532 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 42.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.9% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, 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
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.3 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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