St. Louis 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 205,501 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 45.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 43.1% | 12.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $35,825 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 34.1% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $435,532 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 42.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
36.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.9% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 27.3 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs St. Louis, MOLos Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MOChicago, IL vs St. Louis, MOHouston, TX vs St. Louis, MOPhoenix, AZ vs St. Louis, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs St. Louis, MO