Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Renton
48.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 23.2% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 2.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 6.9% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $67,544 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $35,825 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.4% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 19.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 34.1% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 42.4% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 35.3% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.4% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.9% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.5% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 48.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 27.3 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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