What are the schools like in Worcester, MA?

Worcester is served primarily by Worcester. The district operates 34 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 8 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.0:1.

What is the median household income in Worcester?

The median household income in Worcester, MA is $63,011 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.6%.

What is the weather like in Worcester, MA?

Worcester has an average high temperature of 32.3°F in January and 79.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 48.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 72.9 inches.

Worcester, MA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Worcester, MA affordable or expensive?

Worcester's cost of living index is 104, where 100 represents the national average. This means Worcester is 4% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $305,600 and the median rent is $1,312 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Worcester, MA?

Worcester has a violent crime rate of 16.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of None per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Worcester, MA a Good Place to Live?

Worcester is a mid-sized city of 204,191 in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $63,011 and a 6.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 104 (US average = 100), which is 4% above the national average.

Strengths: Worcester stands out for solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Worcester is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Worcester city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 103.8

Worcester's overall cost of living index is 103.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Worcester costs roughly 4% more than the average American city.

Metric	Worcester, MA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$305,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,312	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	42.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$63,011	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Worcester's violent crime rate is 16.5 per 100,000 residents — 96% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

16.5 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Worcester is served primarily by Worcester. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Worcester, MA	National Avg
School District	Worcester	—
Elementary Schools	34	—
Middle Schools	4	—
High Schools	8	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	33.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	85.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Worcester sees average highs of 32.3°F in January and 79.8°F in July, with 48.3 inches of annual precipitation and 72.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Worcester, MA
Average High — January	32.3°F
Average High — July	79.8°F
Annual Precipitation	48.3"
Annual Snowfall	72.9"

Demographics

Metric	Worcester, MA	National Avg
Population	204,191	—
Median Age	34.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	61.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	12.8%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	14.9%	18.9%
Asian	6.8%	6.3%
Under 18	19.5%	22.2%
65 and over	13.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Northborough, MA 9 mi Spencer, MA 10 mi Westborough, MA 10 mi Rutland, MA 10 mi Oxford, MA 11 mi

ZIP Codes in Worcester

Worcester, MA is covered by 11 ZIP codes:

01604 01602 01605 01606 01603 01609 01607 01610 01608 01545 01583

Worcester vs Other Cities

Worcester, MA vs Northborough, MA Worcester, MA vs Spencer, MA Worcester, MA vs Westborough, MA Worcester, MA vs Rutland, MA Worcester, MA vs Oxford, MA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Worcester, MA affordable or expensive?

Worcester's cost of living index is 104, where 100 is the national average. That puts Worcester roughly 4% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $305,600 and median rent is $1,312/month.

What is the crime rate in Worcester, MA?

Worcester's violent crime rate is 16.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is None per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Worcester?

Public schools in Worcester are operated by Worcester. The district has 34 elementary, 4 middle, and 8 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1. 33.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Worcester, MA a good place to live?

Worcester, MA has a population of 204,191, a median household income of $63,011, and an unemployment rate of 6.6%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Worcester?

Worcester averages 32.3°F in January and 79.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.3 inches with about 72.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Worcester?

Worcester, MA is covered by 11 ZIP codes: 01604, 01602, 01605, 01606, 01603, 01609, 01607, 01610, 01608, 01545, 01583.

What is the population of Worcester?

The population of Worcester, Massachusetts is 204,191 with a median age of 34.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Worcester?

Key numbers for living in Worcester: cost of living index 104 (100 = US average), median home $305,600, median household income $63,011, schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Worcester side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.