Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Washington
39.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 205,501 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 39.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 43.3% | 12.1% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Worcester
$85,405
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $67,544 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $35,825 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $85,405 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 19.8% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 34.1% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 35.3% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 11.4% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 19.9% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 8.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.5% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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