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Boston vs Worcester: which is cheaper?

Worcester is 5% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

I need $56,817 in Worcester to live the same way.

🏠 Rent per month
$3,112
$1,952
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$2,480
$1,720
💵 Families earn per year
$104,986
$75,605
🔑 Buying a house
$731,700
$374,400
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
108.3
102.5
🏛️ Property tax per year
$4,456
$4,733
⚡ Electric bill per month
$113
$149
👥 People living there
666,442
207,055
Commute to work
30.3 min
24.1 min
College degree
54.9%
35.2%
Own their home
35.7%
42.8%
Below poverty line
16.6%
19.6%
Unemployment
6.1%
6.5%

Bottom line

Pay for the same job

JobBostonWorcesterDifference
Lawyer$183,350$129,400-29% in Worcester
Operations Manager$133,800$111,900-16% in Worcester
Elementary School Teacher$98,060$82,810-16% in Worcester
Plumber$96,760$82,260-15% in Worcester
Market Research Analyst$102,390$90,300-12% in Worcester
Software Developer$166,090$146,950-12% in Worcester
Firefighter$73,990$66,310-10% in Worcester
Nurse Practitioner$147,480$135,120-8% in Worcester

Frequently asked questions

Is Boston or Worcester cheaper to live in?

Worcester is about 5% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,952 a month there versus $3,112 in Boston.

What salary do I need in Worcester to match $60,000 in Boston?

About $56,817 a year gives the same standard of living in Worcester.

Where do people earn more, Boston or Worcester?

The typical household earns $104,986 in Boston and $75,605 in Worcester, 39% more in Boston.

More comparisons

All Boston comparisons → · All Worcester comparisons →

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