Worcester wins overall by ~50% (COL index)
Cost of living: Boston vs Worcester (2026)
A $74,000 salary in Boston buys roughly what $49,333 does in Worcester (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$20,291/yr
Favoring Worcester for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,691/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~9 months and still keep ~$203/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Boston Massachusetts | Worcester Massachusetts | Who wins | Your impact at $74K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,400 | $1,400Wins | Worcester wins −$1,000/mo | $12,000/yr saves in Worcester |
| 1BR rent/mo | $3,000 | $1,750Wins | Worcester wins −$1,250/mo | $15,000/yr saves in Worcester |
| 2BR rent/mo | $4,000 | $2,300Wins | Worcester wins −$1,700/mo | $20,400/yr saves in Worcester |
| Median home price | $700K | $380KWins | Worcester wins −$320K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 110 | 106Better | Worcester wins -4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $18 | $16Better | Worcester wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $75 | $65Wins | Worcester wins −$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90 | $78Wins | Worcester wins −$12/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40Better | $3.40 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165Better | $165 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $185Better | $190 | Boston wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $70 | $68Better | Worcester wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $90KWins | $58K | Boston wins −$32K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.0%Better | 5.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.3%Better | 6.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $17.00 | $16.00Better | Worcester wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $60 | $46Wins | Worcester wins −$14/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $8.00 | $7.00Wins | Worcester wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 162 | 108Wins | Worcester wins -54 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 80Wins | 63 | Boston wins -17 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Worcester fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Worcester.
High-yield savings
Park ~$15,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boston cheaper than Worcester?
No. Worcester is 50% cheaper than Boston based on overall cost of living indices (108 vs 162, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Boston vs Worcester?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Boston is $3,000/month and in Worcester is $1,750/month. Boston is more expensive by 71%.
How much do I need to earn in Worcester to match a $75,000 salary in Boston?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $50,000/year in Worcester to match a $75,000 salary in Boston. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Boston or Worcester?
Worcester has the lower state income tax rate at 5% vs 5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Boston to Worcester?
It depends on your priorities. Worcester offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: Boston ↔ Worcester
How much would you need to earn in Worcester to match your Boston purchasing power?