$40K in Boston = $26,667 in Worcester
Your $40K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $26,667 in Worcester (COL 108). Worcester is cheaper — your money goes 33% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boston $40K | Worcester $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,562 | $2,562 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $1,750 |
| Groceries | $418 | $403 |
| Transport | $90 | $78 |
| Utilities | $185 | $190 |
| Internet | $70 | $68 |
| Left after essentials | -$1,201/month | $73/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Boston equivalent to in Worcester?
$40K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $26,667 in Worcester (COL index 108). That's 33% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boston to Worcester keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Worcester, you'd have $1,274 more per month after core expenses — because Worcester is cheaper than Boston.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $40K × (108 ÷ 162) = $26,667. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boston to Worcester
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only