New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Worcester
23.2%
White
New York
35.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 205,501 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 23.2% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 22.7% | 12.1% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 6.9% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 24.9% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | New York, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $67,544 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $35,825 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.8% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 34.1% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | New York, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | New York, 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 York
25.1%
New York +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | New York, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 35.3% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.9% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.1% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.5% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
New York +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | New York, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 48.1 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, 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 York
44.2 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | New York, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 York. 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 York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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