Median rent is 31% lower in Worcester ($1,487/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Worcester, where the median home runs $374,400 versus $731,700. Households earn more in Boston ($97,344 vs $70,102 a year). Taken together, Worcester is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.4 against 110.4 — about 14% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boston, MA.
Cost of living verdict
Worcester is 14% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.4 in Worcester vs 110.4 in Boston (US national average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$64,842
You could earn $10,158 less (14% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Boston
Massachusetts
Worcester
Massachusetts
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Worcester — median rent of $1,487/mo versus $2,147/mo in Boston, a 31% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boston: the median home is $731,700 versus $374,400 in Worcester — 49% more expensive.
Metric
Boston
Worcester
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Worcester
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Worcester has cleaner air on average: 29.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Worcester if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.4 vs 110.4).
Pick Boston if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,344/yr).
Pick Worcester if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,487/mo median).
Worcester is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.4 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 14% lower in Worcester.
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $1,487/mo in Worcester, MA. Worcester, MA has the lower rent by about 31%.
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $70,102 in Worcester, MA. Boston, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Worcester, MA has better air quality on average: 29.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $86,457 in Worcester, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
