Skip to content

City guide · Massachusetts

Moving to Worcester, MA

Cheaper Boston alternative, colleges.

Pop. 207kCost index 110.4 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $1,800/moMedian home $380kWalk score 64

Worcester (metro area) has an overall price level 110.4 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
110.4
Housing index
128.1
Groceries index (modeled)
102.6
Utilities index (modeled)
101.6
Electricity rate
30.2 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
102.1
Median home value (est.)
$380,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$1,800/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Massachusetts unemployment is 4.7% with median household income $105k.

Unemployment rate
4.7%
Median household income
$104,828
Per-capita income
$57,789
Labor-force participation
67.2%
Right-to-work state
No
Nurse Licensure Compact
Non-member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Worcester: median home value $380,000.

Home value
$380,000
Rent
$1,800/mo
Homeownership rate
62.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
79/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Low
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Low

Massachusetts 4th-grade math proficiency: 51.2% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
51.2%
Per-pupil spending
$20,184
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
16
Public 4-yr grad rate
59.0%
Notable universities
Harvard, MIT, BU

Compare Worcester to where you live now

Salary you'd need, tax delta, rent reality-check, and a 90-day move timeline — one clear verdict.

Start free comparison

More Massachusetts city guides