Sacramento CA 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 205,501 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 36.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 12.4% | 12.1% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 6.9% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 24.9% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $67,544 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $35,825 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 19.8% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 34.1% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 42.4% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 35.3% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.5% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 48.1 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 27.3 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sacramento, CALos Angeles, CA vs Sacramento, CAChicago, IL vs Sacramento, CAHouston, TX vs Sacramento, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Sacramento, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Sacramento, CA