Performance
Score Breakdown
Worcester
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
96% higher compared to Worcester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Worcester's average rent is
35% higher than Moscow's.
| Metric | Worcester | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,338 | +35% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,620 | $1,338 | +96% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 12% 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 Worcester is estimated at
$55,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Worcester | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,526 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $70,102 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Worcester | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Worcester.
Moscow 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 | Worcester | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 56.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Worcester is the larger city
— approximately 7.9x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Worcester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Worcester | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 207,055 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Worcester
#62Massachusetts, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
34.0/10
Walkability
56.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
Moscow
#14Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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