Tampa 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Tampa
51.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 205,501 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 51.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 21.3% | 12.1% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 24.9% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $67,544 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $35,825 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 19.8% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 34.1% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $435,532 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 42.4% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 35.3% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.9% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.5% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.1 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, 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
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.3 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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