Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 205,501 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 70.1% | 58.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 6.9% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $67,544 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $35,825 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 34.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 42.4% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 35.3% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.9% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.5% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 27.3 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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