CountyScore

Worcester County

Massachusetts · MA

#8 in Massachusetts
59
County Score

County Report Card

About Worcester County, Massachusetts

Worcester matches state and tops national average

Worcester County's composite score of 57.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 57th percentile nationally. The county performs better than most American communities and is one of the strongest performers in this Massachusetts group.

Meets Massachusetts county average exactly

At 57.3, Worcester slightly exceeds the state average of 57.1, making it one of the top performers among Massachusetts counties in this analysis. The county delivers solid livability relative to its peers across the state.

Most affordable housing in Massachusetts sample

Worcester's cost score of 54.8 is the highest among these six counties, with median home values of $390,700 and monthly rent of just $1,347. These figures represent genuinely accessible pricing for middle-income families seeking Massachusetts living.

Income levels are moderate, not exceptional

Worcester's income score of 44.5 reflects a median household income of $93,561—similar to Suffolk but lower than Middlesex, Norfolk, and Plymouth. The higher tax rate of 1.333% compared to neighbors further constrains household budgets; data on safety, health, schools, risks, and water remain unavailable.

For value-conscious families seeking stability

Worcester County is ideal for middle-class and working families who prioritize affordability and space over premium incomes or urban amenities, and are willing to work outside the Boston metro. If you earn $90,000–$110,000, want to own a home under $400,000, and value New England stability over coastal prestige, Worcester offers exceptional value.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax64.8Cost54.8SafetyComing SoonHealth81SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.5Risk6.5WaterComing Soon
🏛64.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠54.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Worcester County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Collier County
Florida
59
Median income: $86,173
St. Lucie County
Florida
59
Median income: $69,027
Cayuga County
New York
59
Median income: $66,583
St. Lawrence County
New York
59
Median income: $61,900
York County
Pennsylvania
59
Median income: $82,238

Deep Dives

Worcester County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Worcester County

via TaxByCounty

Worcester's steep rate is highest in the region

Worcester County residents face an effective tax rate of 1.333%—more than five times the national median—making it the highest-taxed county among the six analyzed. Although the median home value of $390,700 is relatively modest, the $5,207 annual property tax burden remains substantial.

Highest effective tax rate in Massachusetts

Worcester County's 1.333% effective tax rate is the highest across all Massachusetts counties, well above the state average of 1.065%. The county's median property tax of $5,207 is modest in absolute dollars but represents the steepest rate-based burden statewide.

Most expensive taxing jurisdiction in the region

Worcester County's 1.333% rate substantially exceeds all five neighboring counties analyzed, including Plymouth (1.237%), Middlesex (1.054%), Norfolk (1.090%), and Suffolk (0.666%), with only Nantucket (0.215%) representing dramatically lower rates. This makes Worcester the region's most aggressive taxing jurisdiction by rate.

Your median annual property tax bill

Worcester County homeowners with a median-valued property of $390,700 pay approximately $5,207 annually in property taxes. At roughly $434 per month, this burden is notable for the county's relatively modest home values, indicating the aggressive tax rate at work.

Assessment appeals are essential here

With Worcester County's punitive tax rate, assessment accuracy becomes critically important to avoid overpaying. Homeowners should request detailed valuations from their assessor and file appeals if they believe their properties are overvalued—potentially significant savings are at stake.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Worcester County

via CostByCounty

Worcester County's affordable inland advantage

Worcester renters spend just 17.3% of income on rent—the lowest ratio among Massachusetts counties and well below the national average of 19.3%—while maintaining a median household income of $93,561. This inland region avoids Boston-area pricing pressure while supporting solid wage growth.

Second most affordable after Plymouth

Worcester ranks second only to Plymouth (18.1%) for rent affordability with a 17.3% ratio, beating the state average by nearly 2 percentage points. At $1,347 median rent, Worcester runs $211 below the state average, proving inland Massachusetts offers genuine value.

Lowest rents and homes in the sample

Worcester's $1,347 median rent is $308 less than Plymouth and $700+ less than Middlesex, while its $390,700 median home value is less than Plymouth's $513,000 and a quarter of Nantucket's price. Worcester delivers the deepest affordability in central Massachusetts without sacrificing income stability.

Renters enjoy lowest burden statewide

Worcester renters spend $1,347 monthly—just 17.3% of the $93,561 median income—while homeowners pay $1,899 or 24.3%. This county achieves the lowest housing cost burden for renters in Massachusetts, making it genuinely affordable for working-class and middle-income households.

Best value for middle-income households

Worcester is ideal for anyone earning $85,000–$110,000 seeking affordable urban or suburban living with New England character and minimal commute pressure. If you're priced out of Boston suburbs but want Massachusetts roots, Worcester delivers lower rents than any comparable county while maintaining comparable incomes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Worcester County

via IncomeByCounty

Worcester incomes beat the nation

Worcester County's median household income of $93,561 runs 25% above the national median of $74,755. The county's mix of small manufacturing, healthcare, education, and services provides steady earning power for central Massachusetts.

Below Massachusetts average income

Worcester ranks sixth among the six featured counties at $93,561, just slightly below the state average of $96,546. The county trails Boston-area wealth centers but remains solidly middle-class by national standards.

Most affordable county peer group

Worcester's $93,561 median is only $1,300 above Suffolk ($92,859) and trails Plymouth by $16,000. But Worcester's median home value of $390,700 is 40% cheaper than Middlesex, making it the affordability leader.

Strong housing affordability advantage

Worcester's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% is the lowest statewide among these counties, and median home values of $390,700 are under half the Boston-area average. Families can realistically own homes without dual six-figure incomes.

Build wealth on solid foundations

Worcester residents earning $93,561 median can leverage low housing costs to save aggressively for retirement and education. Start investing early in tax-advantaged accounts to compound wealth over decades in this affordable, stable region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Worcester County

via HealthByCounty

Worcester tied with national baseline

Worcester County's life expectancy of 78.8 years matches the U.S. average of 78.9 years, placing it at the national benchmark despite being in Massachusetts. At 14.6% reporting poor or fair health compared to the national rate of 15.3%, Worcester performs marginally better than the nation overall.

Below average health for Massachusetts

Worcester County's 78.8-year life expectancy falls 0.9 years short of the state average of 79.7 years, among the lowest in Massachusetts. The 14.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, indicating Worcester residents face steeper health challenges than much of the commonwealth.

Tied with Plymouth on life expectancy

Worcester and Plymouth counties both report 78.8-year life expectancy, the lowest among the six counties compared and well behind Nantucket (82.8 years) and Middlesex (81.5 years). Worcester's 3.2% uninsured rate slightly exceeds nearby Massachusetts counties, adding economic barriers to healthcare access.

Moderate provider access, health barriers remain

Worcester has 93 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, middling capacity compared to better-resourced counties like Suffolk (157) and Middlesex (125). With 606 mental health providers per 100,000 and a 3.2% uninsured rate—above the state average—Worcester residents face dual barriers: limited primary care and higher uninsured rates.

Coverage is the first health investment

In Worcester County, where uninsured rates run higher and primary care access is stretched, consistent insurance coverage becomes even more critical. Visit healthcare.gov or explore MassHealth options to lock in coverage and connect with the providers you need.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Worcester County

via RiskByCounty

Worcester carries moderately elevated disaster risk

Worcester County scores 93.54 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively moderate category—well above the national average. This score reflects consistent exposure across all major hazard types, with particularly acute hurricane and flood vulnerabilities.

Tied for third-highest risk in Massachusetts

Worcester ranks tied with Suffolk for third-riskiest county in Massachusetts, with a composite score of 93.54 compared to the state average of 78.84. The county's 19% elevation above the state baseline reflects broad geographic exposure across diverse hazard categories.

Comparable to Suffolk, below Middlesex risk

Worcester's 93.54 score nearly matches Suffolk (93.51) and trails only Middlesex (96.95) among Massachusetts counties. As the state's largest county by area, Worcester's diverse geography creates regionally variable risk, with western areas facing elevated wildfire exposure (62.60).

Hurricanes and floods dominate your hazards

Hurricane risk peaks at 96.62—Worcester's highest exposure—while flood risk reaches 95.29. Tornado risk (82.22) and earthquake risk (89.34) present secondary concerns, while wildfire risk (62.60) varies significantly across the county's extensive geography.

Prioritize flood and hurricane preparedness

Standard homeowners policies cover hurricane wind but exclude flood damage, requiring separate flood insurance given Worcester's 95.29 flood risk. For western Worcester residents, wildfire risk (62.60) warrants reviewing home hardening measures and ensuring adequate coverage for potential brush fire exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.