Cost of living, Worcester
102.5
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Worcester sits about 2.5% above national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- +2.5%
- Metro
- Worcester
- CBSA
- 49340
Worcester all-items RPP is 102.5 (2024), about 2.5% above US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $92,250 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in Worcester
| Component | Worcester | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.5 | 100 |
| Goods | 97.0 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 113.0 | 100 |
| Other services | 101.2 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in Worcester
| At US average | In Worcester |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $61,500 |
| $90,000 | $92,250 |
| $150,000 | $153,750 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (102.5 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Top wages here
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in Worcester?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Worcester, MA is 102.5, versus a US average of 100 (+2.5%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $92,250 in Worcester for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Highest wages here
- Marketing Managers , 590 OEWS emp. $199,280
- Computer and Information Systems Managers , 1,150 OEWS emp. $193,890
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 630 OEWS emp. $179,150
- Financial Managers , 1,560 OEWS emp. $170,940
- Managers, All Other , 570 OEWS emp. $164,730
- Sales Managers , 950 OEWS emp. $162,810
See methodology and disclaimer.