Cost of Living: Worcester, MA vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Worcester

Massachusetts
104
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Worcester and Clearwater have a similar cost of living.

$1,415/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 9%
$67,544/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 5%
$339,500 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 4%
$1,521/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 7%
205,501
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

9.0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.15%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Worcester, MA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $124/month cheaper in Worcester, saving renters about $1,488/year.

Median household income is $3,104/year higher in Worcester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Worcester is $339,500 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Worcester vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Worcester or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Worcester is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Worcester and Clearwater?
Median rent in Worcester is $1,415/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $124/month.
Which city has higher income, Worcester or Clearwater?
Median household income is $67,544 in Worcester and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $3,104/year higher in Worcester.
How do taxes compare between Massachusetts and Florida?
Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Worcester or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Worcester has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,415/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Worcester details → View Clearwater details →

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