New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
New Rochelle
48,198
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 66.1% | 58.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.8% | 12.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 42.4% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 35.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 19.9% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.5% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | 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.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.3 min | New Rochelle + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. 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, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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