Warren MI 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)
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
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
Warren
138,128
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Warren
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Warren
37.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Warren
13.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Warren
20.9%
Warren +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Warren
2.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Warren
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Warren, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,128 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 60.8% | 58.0% | Warren + |
| Black | 20.9% | 12.1% | Warren + |
| Asian | 11.9% | 6.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 2.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Warren
$63,741
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Warren
$32,162
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Warren
$58,052
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Warren
7.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Warren
20.4%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Warren, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,741 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,162 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.4% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Warren, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,632 | $435,532 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.0% | 42.4% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Warren
471
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Warren
1590
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Warren, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Warren
39.1%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Warren
12.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Warren
15.7%
Warren +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Warren
18.0%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Warren, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.7% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Warren + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Warren
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Warren
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Warren, MI | 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.)
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Warren
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Warren, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Warren
26.9 min
Warren +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Warren, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 27.3 min | Warren + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Warren. 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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