Plano TX 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Plano
53.2%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 205,501 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 23.2% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 9.0% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 6.9% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $67,544 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $35,825 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.4% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 19.8% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 34.1% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 42.4% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.3% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 19.9% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.5% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | 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.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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