Oakland, CA 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.
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Oakland leads in median household income ($85,459 vs $52,891). Worcester leads in cost of living index (108 vs 155). Worcester leads in average commute (26.4 min vs 32.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62 (#1880) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 433,823 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $717,798 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $85,459 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 32.1 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 62 |
| Crime Level | High | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 4.8 | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+10.0 |
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →
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 →