Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Worcester, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 28.0% more expensive than Worcester, MA. This translates to spending an extra $2098 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Worcester, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Worcester, MA, you'd need approximately $175,179.059 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Worcester, MA and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 79.6% more expensive than in Worcester, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,645/month in Worcester, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Worcester, MA to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $2098 more per month than Worcester, MA, or $25179 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Worcester, MA vs Los Angeles, CA: 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 Worcester, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.1K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $175.2K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Providence-Warwick, RI-MA area

Overall Cost

↑ 28.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,098

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$25.2K

Per year

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

Worcester, MA

Population:208K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$410K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:

128

(28% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Worcester, MA

The Bay State

208K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Worcester, MA vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Worcester, MA	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$4,315/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $3,434more	79.6%
Transportation	$1,664/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $495more	29.7%
Healthcare	$709/mo	$554/mo	↓ $155less	21.9%
All Utilities	$682/mo	$557/mo	↓ $125less	18.3%
Other	$1,658/mo	$1,731/mo	↑ $72.62more	4.4%
Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $11.40more	1.1%

Housing

↑ 79.6%

Worcester, MA

$4,315

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$3,434

Transportation

↑ 29.7%

Worcester, MA

$1,664

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$495

Healthcare

↓ 21.9%

Worcester, MA

$709

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$155

less

All Utilities

↓ 18.3%

Worcester, MA

$682

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$125

less

Other

↑ 4.4%

Worcester, MA

$1,658

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$72.62

Groceries

↑ 1.1%

Worcester, MA

$1,029

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$11.40

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,275

To$1,910

↑ $635

1 Bed

From$1,282

To$2,135

↑ $853

2 Bed

From$1,645

To$2,660

↑ $1,015

3 Bed

From$2,039

To$3,370

↑ $1,331

Worcester, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,500–$1,750/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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.

$10,057

Monthly in Worcester, MA

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$3,733

Difference

Home Values

Worcester

Los Angeles

$410K

Median Value

$885K

↑ +1.3%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +42.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$188K - $530K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 116% more expensive than Worcester

Calculate payment - Worcester Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$261

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

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

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Worcester, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.