Cost of living index
Worcester, MA
102.5 / 100
Living in Worcester, MA is 2.5% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
102.5
Housing / rent
113
vs US average
+2.5%
What it costs to live in Worcester, MA
Worcester, MA has an overall price level of 102.5 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 2.5% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 113 it is 13.0% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Worcester, MA an expensive place to live?
Worcester, MA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.5, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 2.5% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Worcester, MA?
Housing in Worcester, MA scores 113 against a US average of 100 — roughly 13.0% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Worcester, MA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Worcester, MA sit at 102.5 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 113. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.