Chelsea, 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.
Chelsea
62.7
#1829 nationally
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Chelsea leads in median household income ($71,051 vs $52,891). Chelsea leads in walk score (81 vs 62). Worcester leads in average commute (26.4 min vs 34.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chelsea, MA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1829) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 38,319 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $531,983 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $71,051 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 34.1 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 81 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+10.0 |
D-
62.7 Score
Chelsea, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$531,983
Population
38,319
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
81
Northeast
View Chelsea, 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 →