Tucson 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 205,501 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 58.2% | 58.0% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.0% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 24.9% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $435,532 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 42.4% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.3% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.9% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.1% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | 48.1 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 27.3 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tucson, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Tucson, AZChicago, IL vs Tucson, AZHouston, TX vs Tucson, AZPhoenix, AZ vs Tucson, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Tucson, AZ