Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 205,501 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 36.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 39.9% | 12.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $35,825 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 34.1% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $435,532 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 42.4% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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