Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.1 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 85.2% | 58.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $435,532 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 42.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.4% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 48.1 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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