Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.1 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 77.1% | 58.0% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 24.9% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $67,544 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.4% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.8% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 42.4% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 326 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.4% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.9% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 14.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 48.1 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.3 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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