Worcester, MA, known as "The Heart of the Commonwealth," is renowned for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene. Located in central Massachusetts, Worcester is approximately 45 miles west of Boston and 40 miles north of Providence, RI. This medium-sized city offers a blend of historic charm and modern amenities, making it a desirable place to live.
Worcester's climate features cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, providing a variety of seasonal activities. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, including the scenic Elm Park and the expansive Green Hill Park, which offer trails, gardens, and opportunities for family picnics.
The cultural scene in Worcester is vibrant, with attractions like the Worcester Art Museum, the EcoTarium, and the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the stART on the Street arts festival and the Worcester Music Festival, celebrating the city's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Worcester, with institutions like Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Clark University providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Worcester an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as UMass Memorial Medical Center, also supports a strong job market.
Living in Worcester combines the benefits of urban living with the charm of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its historical richness, cultural vibrancy, and welcoming atmosphere, Worcester offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Located in the state of Massachusetts, Worcester is a medium-sized city with a population of 185,186 inhabitants. Worcester has a population density of 4,957 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Worcester is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. In Worcester, only 40% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Worcester your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 25 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Worcester, Massachusetts could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Worcester and in the areas around Worcester is a much easier task.
The livability score in Worcester is 80 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 95th percentile of all cities across America. This is a great score, as Worcester ranks well in multiple categories! Worcester is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Worcester ranks well for housing (B-). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Worcester. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (F) and cost of living (D).
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Worcester, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Worcester undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester Art Museum, and EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Worcester excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Worcester is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Worcester come in at $241,800, which is 29.1% lower than the Massachusetts average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Worcester, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 2.1% lower than the Massachusetts average.
| Statistic | Worcester | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 69.0% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.9% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.0% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 7.1% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.2% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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