Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buckeye, AZ
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Buckeye leads 12 of 21 categories
Buckeye
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$94,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
44
Population
95,042
Worcester
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
Households earn $31,177 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.0%)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 32°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,597/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $341,700
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Worcester, MA
Pros
90% less violent crime than Buckeye
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $285/mo less ($1,312 vs $1,597)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 107°F
Homes cost $36k less ($305,600 vs $341,700)
Cons
Median income trails Buckeye by $31,177/yr
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.0%)
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Buckeye
Key Differences at a Glance
Buckeye
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Buckeye
Median Income
$31,177
$94,188 vs $63,011/yr
Buckeye
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.6% unemployment
Buckeye
Summer Heat
26.7°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Violent Crime
90% lower
16.5 vs 166.8 per 100k
Worcester
Median Home Value
$36k less
$305,600 vs $341,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buckeye, AZ | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $341,700⚠ High | $305,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High | $1,312 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,188 ✓ Higher | $63,011 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.5 min⚠ High | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.2% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 41 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 37 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (72) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.2:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.9% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.2% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.1°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.0" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,042 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.3% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeye's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Buckeye is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Buckeye leads 12 of 21 categories. Buckeye wins 12 and Worcester wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Buckeye to Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($341,700 vs $305,600 median home), income ($94,188 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buckeye, AZ and Worcester, MA are about 2,286 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.