Somerville, MA vs Worcester, MA

The cost of living difference between Somerville, MA and Worcester, MA is dramatic. Worcester is 75.3% cheaper than Somerville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Somerville has a cost index of 187 while Worcester sits at 107, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Somerville is $2,468/month compared to $1,415/month in Worcester — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Worcester is more affordable at $339,500 median vs $899,400.

Median household income in Somerville is $127,056 compared to $67,544 in Worcester (+88.1%). While Somerville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Somerville spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Worcester.