Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 34.1 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 50.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 35.7% | 12.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $435,532 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 35.3% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.5% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | 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
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. 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, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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