Virginia Beach VA 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)
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
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
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 205,501 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 61.6% | 58.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 18.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 6.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $67,544 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $35,825 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 19.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 34.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $435,532 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 42.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.5% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.3 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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