Is Worcester, MA cheaper than Rochester, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Worcester, MA is 40.7% more expensive than Rochester, NY. This translates to spending an extra $3051 per month.

What salary do I need in Worcester, MA to live like I do in Rochester, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Rochester, NY, you'd need approximately $186,616.321 in Worcester, MA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rochester, NY and Worcester, MA?

Housing in Worcester, MA is 104.7% more expensive than in Rochester, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,645/month in Worcester, MA compared to $1,633/month in Rochester, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Rochester, NY to Worcester, MA?

Living in Worcester, MA costs approximately $3051 more per month than Rochester, NY, or $36616 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rochester, NY vs Worcester, MA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Rochester, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $3.1K/month more in Worcester, MA

$150.0K in your current city equals $186.6K in Worcester, MA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Rochester, NY area

Overall Cost

↑ 40.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,051

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$36.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$198K

Worcester, MA

Population:208K

Cost Index:

141

(41% above avg)

Median Home:$410K

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K residents.

Worcester, MA

The Bay State

208K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 208K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Rochester, NY vs Worcester, MA

Category	Rochester, NY	Worcester, MA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,108/mo	$4,315/mo	↑ $2,207more	104.7%
Transportation	$1,315/mo	$1,664/mo	↑ $349more	26.5%
Healthcare	$548/mo	$709/mo	↑ $161more	29.4%
Other	$1,738/mo	$1,658/mo	↓ $79.73less	4.6%
All Utilities	$631/mo	$682/mo	↑ $51.64more	8.2%
Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $0.03more	0.0%

Housing

↑ 104.7%

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Worcester, MA

$4,315

Difference

$2,207

Transportation

↑ 26.5%

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Worcester, MA

$1,664

Difference

$349

Healthcare

↑ 29.4%

Rochester, NY

$548

Worcester, MA

$709

Difference

$161

Other

↓ 4.6%

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Worcester, MA

$1,658

Difference

$79.73

less

All Utilities

↑ 8.2%

Rochester, NY

$631

Worcester, MA

$682

Difference

$51.64

Groceries

↑ 0.0%

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Worcester, MA

$1,029

Difference

$0.03

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,157

To$1,275

↑ $118

1 Bed

From$1,309

To$1,282

↓ $27.00

2 Bed

From$1,633

To$1,645

↑ $12.00

3 Bed

From$1,968

To$2,039

↑ $71.00

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/mo

Worcester, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,500–$1,750/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$10,057

Monthly in Worcester, MA

$2,689

Difference

Home Values

Rochester

Worcester

$198K

Median Value

$410K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↑ +1.3%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +42.4%

$90K - $334K

Price Range

$188K - $530K

Homes in Worcester are 107% more expensive than Rochester

Calculate payment - Rochester Calculate payment - Worcester

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$170

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.4%

Rate difference

Rochester, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Worcester, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

Worcester, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.