Boston, MA vs Worcester, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $52,891). Worcester leads in cost of living index (108 vs 155). Boston leads in school rating (7.2 vs 5.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 684,379 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 62 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+10.0 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
D
66.6 Score
Worcester, MA
Heart of the Commonwealth
Median Home
$441,802
Population
206,518
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Worcester, MA →