Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Worcester?

Worcester, MA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Worcester?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Worcester?

Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Richmond vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Richmond

Virginia

$1,400/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,400 in Richmond, VA versus $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Worcester, MA is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,671 in Richmond, VA and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 7% higher in Worcester, MA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Richmond, VA

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,183

$1,087

+8% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,028

+14% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,374

$1,476

+7% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,447

$1,675

+16% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$328,100

$339,500

+3% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,671

$67,544

+8% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,460

$57,830

+12% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.5 yr

34.1 yr

+0.4 yr in Richmond, VA

Homeownership

43.5%

42.4%

+1.1 pp in Richmond, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.1%

34.1%

+10.0 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

22.1 min

25.1 min

+3.0 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

349

640.2

+83% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

3,240.2

1,580.3

+51% in Richmond, VA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.9°F

47.9°F

+11.0°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

43.6 in

48.1 in

+4.5 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.07/gal

+3% in Worcester, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.2

29.6

+72% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.20

$30.66

+13% in Worcester, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Worcester, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Richmond, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / MA)

5.3%

6.25%

+1.0 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

9.00%

+3.3 pp in MA

Richmond vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Worcester?: Worcester, MA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Worcester?: Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).