Cost of Living: Salem, MA vs Worcester, MA
Quick rent-and-take-home comparison
Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,224/mo in Salem, MA versus $4,224/mo in Worcester, MA. In the model, rent is about 26.23% of gross in Salem, MA versus 20.62% in Worcester, MA, so Worcester, MA tends to feel more affordable for rent.
Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Salem, MA and Worcester, MA.
At a glance
- Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Worcester, MA
- Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Worcester, MA
- Lower home prices: Worcester, MA
- Higher median household income: Salem, MA
Cost of Living Index
Salem, MA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Worcester, MA: 100 (U.S. = 100)
Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).
Median Rent
Salem, MA: $1,710/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Worcester, MA: $1,345/mo
Median rent in Salem, MA is $365/mo higher than in Worcester, MA.
Median Home Price
Salem, MA: $497,400 · Worcester, MA: $339,500
Median home price in Salem, MA is $157,900 higher than in Worcester, MA.
Median Household Income
Salem, MA: $85,137 · Worcester, MA: $67,544
Salem, MA has a higher median household income than Worcester, MA by $17,593.
Salem, MA overview · Worcester, MA overview · Popular comparisons