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Cost of Living in Worcester County, MA

Population 867,788 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,426
Median home value$423,700
Median household income$95,939

The median rent in Worcester County, MA is $1,426/month, 19% lower than the Massachusetts median and about the same as the U.S. median. The median home value is $423,700, 27% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $95,939 a year, 8% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 17.8%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $57,040/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.4×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $2,142/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Worcester County vs. Massachusetts vs. U.S.

Worcester CountyMassachusettsU.S.
Median rent$1,426$1,762$1,413
Median home value$423,700$562,100$332,700
Median household income$95,939$103,960$80,734
Homeownership rate65.8%62.5%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher39.7%47.3%35.7%
Poverty rate10.3%10.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate5.3%5.2%5.2%
Work from home15.6%18.6%15.1%
Median age40.240.038.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Worcester County, MA?

The median gross rent in Worcester County, MA is $1,426 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Worcester County, MA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $57,040 a year in gross income.

Is Worcester County, MA expensive to live in?

Rent there is about the same as the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.4 times the median household income.

Other counties in Massachusetts

Middlesex County, MARent $2,201 · Income $130,847Essex County, MARent $1,756 · Income $101,883Suffolk County, MARent $2,129 · Income $95,631Norfolk County, MARent $2,149 · Income $130,739Bristol County, MARent $1,245 · Income $85,625Plymouth County, MARent $1,747 · Income $114,201

Counties with a similar cost of living

Columbia County, GARent $1,409 · Income $95,592Capitol Planning Region, CTRent $1,411 · Income $93,394Shelby County, ALRent $1,401 · Income $97,961Brazoria County, TXRent $1,454 · Income $97,993Wilson County, TNRent $1,486 · Income $95,839Olmsted County, MNRent $1,370 · Income $95,406

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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