Wondering how far your dollar stretches in Worcester compared to Ann Arbor? Below we break down housing costs, rent, taxes, income, and quality of life using 2026 data so you can make an informed relocation or remote-work decision. Every number is computed from Census, BLS, and Zillow data specific to these two metro areas.
| Worcester | Metric | Ann Arbor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 116 | Cost of Living Index | 116 | +0.0% |
| $380,000 | Median Home Price | $420,000 | +10.5% |
| $1,650 | Median Monthly Rent | $1,730 | +4.8% |
| $71,400 | Median Household Income | $78,600 | +10.1% |
| 1.1% | Property Tax Rate | 1.6% | +50.9% |
| 3.6% | Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | -16.7% |
| 27 min | Average Commute | 22 min | -18.5% |
| 37 | Median Age | 31.2 | -15.7% |
| 1,000,000 | Metro Population | 370,000 | -63.0% |
Data sourced from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024-2025). COL Index: 100 = national average.
Monthly mortgage assumes 6.5% interest, 30-year fixed, 20.0%down payment. PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowner's insurance.
Buying a home in Worcester costs $2,368/month (PITI) compared to $2,806/month in Ann Arbor — a difference of $438/month or $5,256/year. The price-to-income ratio is 5.3x in Worcester versus 5.3x in Ann Arbor, suggesting Worcester is relatively more affordable for homebuyers relative to local incomes. At a 15% savings rate, it takes 7.1 years to save a down payment in Worcester compared to 7.1 years in Ann Arbor.
Estimated on each city's median household income, single filer, standard deduction, 2025 rates.
| Tax Category | Worcester | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $71,400 | $78,600 |
| State Income Tax | $3,350 | $3,094 |
| Federal Income Tax | $7,157 | $8,741 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | $5,462 | $6,013 |
| Property Tax (on median home) | $4,028/yr | $6,720/yr |
| State Sales Tax Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% |
| Total Tax Burden | $15,969 (22.4%) | $17,848 (22.7%) |
| Take-Home Pay | $55,431 | $60,752 |
On median household income, total taxes (federal + state + FICA) come to $15,969 in Worcester (22.4% effective) versus $17,848 in Ann Arbor (22.7% effective). After taxes, take-home pay is $55,431 in Worcester and $60,752 in Ann Arbor. Property taxes add $4,028/year on the median Worcester home versus $6,720/year in Ann Arbor.
These figures adjust for cost of living using the formula: adjusted = salary × (COL_destination / COL_origin). If you earn $71,400 in Worcester (COL 116) and relocate to Ann Arbor (COL 116), you would need $71,400 to maintain the same purchasing power. This means your salary should stay roughly the same.
Beyond costs, quality of life matters. The average commute in Worcester is 27 minutes versus 22 minutes in Ann Arbor, a difference of 5 minutes each way. Ann Arbor's lower unemployment rate of 3.0% versus 3.6% suggests a stronger job market. Worcester skews slightly older with a median age of 37 vs 31.2 in Ann Arbor.
Worcester and Ann Arbor have very similar costs of living, with COL indices of 116 and 116 respectively (national average = 100). Day-to-day expenses, housing, and taxes are comparable between the two metro areas.
The median home price in Ann Arbor is $420,000, which is $40,000 more than Worcester's median of $380,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,730/month in Ann Arbor vs $1,650/month in Worcester, a difference of $80/month or $960/year.
To maintain the same standard of living, a $71,400 salary in Worcester is equivalent to $71,400 in Ann Arbor. This is based on the cost of living index ratio: Worcester's COL index of 116 vs Ann Arbor's 116. Conversely, $78,600 in Ann Arbor equals $78,600 in Worcester.
On a median household income, the combined federal, state, and FICA tax burden is $15,969 (22.4% effective rate) in Worcester vs $17,848 (22.7% effective rate) in Ann Arbor. Property taxes on the median home are $4,028/year in Worcester (1.1% rate) vs $6,720/year in Ann Arbor (1.6% rate). Sales tax rates are 6.3% in Massachusetts and 6.0% in Michigan.
Worcester median household income: $71,400/yr. Ann Arbor median household income: $78,600/yr (Census ACS).
Median monthly rent: $1,650 in Worcester vs $1,730 in Ann Arbor. Annualized that is $19,800 vs $20,760.
Worcester offers a lower cost of living (index 116 vs 116), which lets remote-workers keeping a coastal salary stretch further. Ann Arbor typically wins on amenities and labor-market depth.
Worcester and Ann Arbor numbers are pulled from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI (home values, rent), the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (income, demographics), and BEA RPP (cost-of-living index). Each value is timestamped on the page.
Source feeds (Zillow, Freddie Mac PMMS, Census ACS, BEA RPP) are refreshed on their native cadence. Page caches revalidate every 24 hours via Next.js ISR.
No. The Worcester vs Ann Arbor cost-of-living page is educational reference using public data and standard formulas. It is not personalized tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult a licensed professional for material decisions.
Home prices use Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)[1]; rents use Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI)[1]. Median household income comes from the Census ACS 5-year estimates[2].
COL indices use the BEA Regional Price Parity methodology[3], normalized so 100 = national average.
Property tax rates are effective rates from the Tax Foundation[4], expressed as % of owner-occupied home value. Mortgage estimates assume 6.5% fixed rate[5], 30-year term, 20.0% down, $1,800/yr homeowners insurance.
Federal tax calculations[6] assume single filer, standard deduction. State tax uses the top marginal rate times taxable income after the state standard deduction. FICA = 6.2% Social Security (up to wage base) + 1.45% Medicare.
Salary equivalence uses adjusted = salary × (COL_destination / COL_origin). This captures cost-of-living shift but not state income tax differences.
Unemployment figures are the most recent monthly MSA-level readings from the BLS LAUS series[7].
Last reviewed is computed from the maximum retrievedAt across every source this page consumes.
City data from Census Bureau[2], BLS[7], and Zillow[1] (2024-2025). Tax calculations use 2025 IRS rates[6], single filer, standard deduction. Mortgage estimates assume 6.5% PMMS rate[5], 30-year term, 20.0% down. COL Index: 100 = national average[3]. Last reviewed .