Provo 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 34.1 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 78.6% | 58.0% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 34.1% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 326 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 35.3% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.4% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.1% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 14.5% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 48.1 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.3 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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