Toledo OH 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)
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
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
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Toledo
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Toledo
35.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Toledo
3.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Toledo
1.4%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Toledo
8.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Toledo
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,461 | 205,501 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 58.7% | 58.0% | Toledo + |
| Black | 28.7% | 12.1% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Toledo
$47,532
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Toledo
$27,407
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Toledo
$58,300
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Toledo
8.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Toledo
24.5%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Toledo
21.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $47,532 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,407 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $130,101 | $435,532 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 42.4% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Toledo
1866
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Toledo
39.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Toledo
15.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Toledo
20.6%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Toledo
11.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Toledo
19.9%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Toledo
50.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.4 in | 48.1 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Toledo
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 27.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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