Worcester MA vs Yonkers NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Worcester
205,501
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Worcester
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Worcester
23.2%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Worcester
12.1%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Worcester
24.9%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Worcester
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 39.0 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 58.0% | 38.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 12.1% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.1% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 24.9% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Worcester
$67,544
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Worcester
$35,825
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Yonkers
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Worcester
19.8%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Worcester
34.1%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,544 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,825 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 7.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.1% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Worcester
42.4%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,532 | $685,544 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Worcester
35.3%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Worcester
19.9%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Worcester
17.1%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Worcester
14.5%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Worcester
47.9°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Worcester
48.1 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Worcester
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 37.5 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. 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, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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