Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 34.1 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 40.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 20.0% | 12.1% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 24.9% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Worcester
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $435,532 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 42.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Worcester
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Worcester
1086
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 27.3 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. 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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