Miami 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Miami
34.2%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 205,501 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 23.2% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 13.7% | 12.1% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 24.9% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $35,825 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 19.8% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 34.1% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 35.3% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.9% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.5% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, 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
Miami
29.9 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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