West Palm Beach FL 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)
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
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
West Palm Beach
119,508
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
West Palm Beach
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
West Palm Beach
40.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
23.2%
White
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
West Palm Beach
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 23.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 44.0% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 31.5% | 12.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,261 | $67,544 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,508 | $35,825 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 19.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.6% | 34.1% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,650 | $435,532 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 42.4% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
West Palm Beach
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 35.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.5% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.4°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.3 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.3 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs West Palm Beach, FLLos Angeles, CA vs West Palm Beach, FLChicago, IL vs West Palm Beach, FLHouston, TX vs West Palm Beach, FLPhoenix, AZ vs West Palm Beach, FLPhiladelphia, PA vs West Palm Beach, FL