Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 205,501 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 23.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 8.5% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 6.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 24.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $67,544 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $35,825 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 34.1% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 35.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.9% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 17.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.5% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 48.1 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX