Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 205,501 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 58.4% | 58.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 12.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $35,825 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 19.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $435,532 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 42.4% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 48.1 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.3 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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