Living in Worcester, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Worcester · Census data 2020–2024
Worcester has 207,055 residents with a median age of 33.9. The median household income is $70,102 (33% lower than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $374,400, the median rent is $1,487/month.
Worcester at a glance
- Population
- 207,055
- Median age
- 33.9State: 40
- Median household income
- $70,102State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $374,400State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,487/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 42.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.2%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Worcester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 33% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 33% lower than the Massachusetts median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 19.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Worcester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Worcester the median home value is $374,400, 13% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,487 per month, which is 32% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,216 a month in housing costs.
Worcester median household income
The median household income in Worcester is $70,102 and the income per person is $37,221. 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Worcester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 85,876
- Owner-occupied
- 42.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.2%
- Vacant
- 7.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1951
- Average household size
- 2.42
Worcester demographics
- Population
- 207,055
- Median age
- 33.9
- Under 18
- 19.6%
- 65 and older
- 13.3%
- Households
- 79,501
- Foreign-born
- 25.1%
- Veterans
- 3.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Worcester ›
Education in Worcester
35.2% of adults 25 and older in Worcester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 14.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Worcester
- Unemployment rate
- 6.5%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 11.5%
- Drive alone
- 65.2%
- Public transit
- 3.2%
- Walk to work
- 5.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 91%
Worcester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester | 207,055 | $70,102 | $374,400 | $1,487 |
| Shrewsbury | 38,876 | $139,302 | $592,300 | $2,116 |
| Auburn | 16,970 | $116,711 | $400,000 | $1,467 |
| Millbury | 13,961 | $118,790 | $450,100 | $1,623 |
| Leicester | 11,113 | $105,173 | $413,100 | $1,487 |
| Holden | 20,064 | $141,923 | $470,700 | $1,648 |
| West Boylston | 7,782 | $104,551 | $440,000 | $1,261 |
| Grafton | 19,902 | $131,484 | $525,300 | $1,504 |
| Paxton | 5,002 | $134,083 | $472,300 | $1,386 |
More for people moving to Worcester
Worcester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Worcester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Worcester, MA?
The median household income in Worcester is $70,102, 33% lower than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Worcester?
The median home value in Worcester is $374,400, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Worcester?
The median gross rent in Worcester is $1,487 per month, about 32% of household income.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 33% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 33% lower than the Massachusetts median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 19.6%.
What is the median age in Worcester?
The median age in Worcester is 33.9 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Worcester?
The average commute to work in Worcester is 24 minutes; 11.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Worcester?
The unemployment rate in Worcester is 6.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Worcester?
35.2% of adults in Worcester have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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