Median rent is 25% lower in Worcester ($1,415/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Worcester, where the median home runs $339,500 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $67,544 a year). Taken together, Worcester is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 96.0 against 113.3 — about 15% lower overall prices.
Quick verdict
Worcester is 15% cheaper overall
Cost index: 96.0 in Worcester vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$63,550
You could earn $11,450 less (15% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Worcester — median rent of $1,415/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $339,500 in Worcester — 61% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 9.00% in Massachusetts, so Worcester is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 6.25% in Massachusetts; Worcester has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Worcester
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Worcester has cleaner air on average: 32.0 AQI (Good) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Worcester if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 96.0 vs 113.3).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Worcester if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,415/mo median).
Pick Worcester if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 32.0).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Worcester?
Worcester is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 96.0 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 15% lower in Worcester.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Worcester?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,415/mo in Worcester, MA. Worcester, MA has the lower rent by about 25%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Worcester?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $67,544 in Worcester, MA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Worcester, MA has better air quality on average: 32.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles or Worcester?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and Massachusetts's is 9.00%. Worcester, MA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Worcester to match my Los Angeles income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $84,734 in Worcester, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology