Worcester vs Columbus: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Worcester, Massachusetts compare to Columbus, Ohio? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Columbus is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 44% higher in Worcester compared to Columbus, while rent is 13% higher. State income tax is 9% in MA vs 3.5% in OH.
| Metric | Worcester, MA | Columbus, OH | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $305,600 | $212,500 | +43.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,312 | $1,161 | +13.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $63,011 | $62,994 | same |
| Per Capita Income | $33,592 | $35,640 | -5.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 9.0% | 3.5% | +157.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.3% | 7.2% | -13.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 204,191 | 902,449 | -77.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Worcester
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Columbus
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Worcester costs $305,600 compared to $212,500 in Columbus — a 44% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,312/mo in Worcester vs $1,161/mo in Columbus.
- Income: Median household income is $63,011 in Worcester and $62,994 in Columbus.
- Taxes: State income tax is 9% in Massachusetts vs 3.5% in Ohio.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).