City Comparison
Malden vs Worcester
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Worcester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Malden
Worcester
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Worcester is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Malden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Malden's average rent is
31% higher than Worcester's.
| Metric | Malden | Worcester | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,800 | +31% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $150 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $3,365 | $2,620 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Malden offers 7% higher 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 Malden is estimated at
$68,000 vs $55,000 in Worcester.
| Metric | Malden | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 70,526 idx |
| Household Income | $100,606 | $70,102 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Malden runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Malden comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Malden sees 25.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Malden | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Worcester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Malden.
Malden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Malden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Malden | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 53.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 56.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 36.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Worcester is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Malden.
From a growth perspective, Worcester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Malden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Malden | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,452 | 207,055 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.12% | 2.40% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Malden
Advantages
Median household income in Malden has risen to $100,606 per U.S. Census Bureau data, reflecting a strong local economy.
Direct MBTA Orange Line subway access at Malden Center and Oak Grove stations provides a rapid commute into downtown Boston.
Malden achieves a strong Walk Score of 73, making its central district very walkable for daily errands.
A celebrated and diverse culinary scene featuring rich international dining options downtown.
More accessible real estate entry points compared to immediate neighbors like Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is fierce, with typical home values elevated around $680,000.
Cost of living index sits well above the national average, driven primarily by housing and energy costs.
Parking and street congestion can be challenging during peak commuting hours in densely populated sectors.
Bike infrastructure is still developing, reflected in a moderate Bike Score of 49.
Property tax adjustments and regional inflation continue to pressure local household budgets.
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.
Malden
#509Massachusetts, USA
52.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
53.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.12%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Malden and Worcester.
Open Cost Calculator