Tempe AZ 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 34.1 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 60.1% | 58.0% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 6.9% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $67,544 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $35,825 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 19.8% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 34.1% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 35.3% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.4% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.9% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.5% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 48.1 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.3 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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