New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.1 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 36.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 30.6% | 12.1% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 24.9% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 34.1% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $435,532 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 326 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.1% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.5% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 48.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.3 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. 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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