Median rent is 18% lower in Waukesha ($1,219/mo vs $1,487/mo). Buying is cheaper in Waukesha, where the median home runs $315,500 versus $374,400. Households earn more in Waukesha ($83,837 vs $70,102 a year). Taken together, Worcester is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.4 against 95.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Waukesha, WI.
City A
Waukesha, WI
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Waukesha, WI?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$74,820
You could earn $180 less (0% 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
Waukesha
Wisconsin
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Waukesha at $1,219/mo compared to $1,487/mo in Worcester (18% gap). Median home values are within 16% of each other: $315,500 in Waukesha and $374,400 in Worcester.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Waukesha
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Worcester
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Worcester (avg AQI 29.0) but not yet for Waukesha.
Pick Waukesha if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,837/yr).
Pick Waukesha if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,219/mo median).
Is Waukesha cheaper than Worcester?
Worcester is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.4 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Worcester.
How much is rent in Waukesha vs Worcester?
Median rent is $1,219/mo in Waukesha, WI and $1,487/mo in Worcester, MA. Waukesha, WI has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Waukesha or Worcester?
Median household income is $83,837 in Waukesha, WI and $70,102 in Worcester, MA. Waukesha, WI 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Waukesha or Worcester?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Worcester to match my Waukesha income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Waukesha, WI is equivalent to roughly $99,760 in Worcester, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
