San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 205,501 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.1 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 27.6% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 11.8% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 24.9% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 19.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 42.4% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | 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.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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