Spokane 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 205,501 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 81.0% | 58.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $35,825 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 19.8% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $435,532 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 42.4% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Spokane, 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
Spokane
35.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.3% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.4% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.9% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.5% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 47.9°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 48.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, 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
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 27.3 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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