City Comparison
Fall River vs Worcester
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Worcester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fall River
Worcester
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fall River is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Worcester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fall River's average rent is
14% lower than Worcester's.
| Metric | Fall River | Worcester | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,800 | -14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,530 | $2,620 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Worcester offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Worcester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fall River is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Worcester.
| Metric | Fall River | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 70,526 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $70,102 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fall River runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fall River comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fall River sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fall River | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Worcester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fall River.
Fall River scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Worcester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fall River | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 56.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 36.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Worcester is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Fall River.
From a growth perspective, Worcester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Worcester has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fall River | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,000 | 207,055 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 2.40% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fall River
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly more affordable than the greater Boston and Providence averages per Zillow 2024 data.
Direct MBTA commuter rail access to Boston improves regional transit connectivity.
Rich cultural heritage featuring renowned Portuguese cuisine, bakeries, and annual festivals.
Strategic coastal location along Mount Hope Bay with proximity to Newport and Cape Cod.
Active downtown revitalization and infrastructure investments fostering local business growth.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average state utility rates impact monthly household electricity and heating budgets.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates than surrounding suburbs.
Public school performance metrics lag behind state averages according to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Ongoing traffic congestion along major highway arteries during peak commuting hours.
Aging housing stock in older districts may require significant renovation and maintenance investments.
Worcester
Advantages
Worcester offers a cost of living that is more affordable than the national average, particularly in housing costs compared to Boston.
The city has a growing job market with strong sectors in healthcare, education, and technology, supported by major employers and research institutions.
Worcester boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous theaters, museums, and a diverse culinary landscape.
The median property value in Worcester, while increasing, remains more accessible than in many other Massachusetts municipalities.
Worcester has a Walk Score of 56, indicating that some daily errands can be accomplished on foot, and offers public transit options including MBTA Commuter Rail service to Boston.
Drawbacks
Worcester experienced a significant surge in homicides in 2024, marking the highest number in nearly four years.
While improving, the city's transit score is 34, suggesting that public transportation accessibility and frequency could be enhanced.
The median household income in Worcester ($70,102 in 2024) is lower than the median for Worcester County ($95,900 from 2020-2024).
Worcester's crime trajectory is described as volatile, and it has a higher violent-to-property crime ratio than the national average.
Despite a growing job market, salary growth in Worcester County has lagged behind state and national averages, with notable racial and ethnic disparities in unemployment.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fall River
#530Massachusetts, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
71
Business
65
Worcester
#346Massachusetts, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
34.0/100
Walkability
56.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
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