Moving from Boston, MA to Worcester, MA
It is a short 46 mi hop from Boston, MA to Worcester, MA — roughly 1h 2m behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
46 mi · 1h 2m by car · MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, MA 122, MA 9 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Lowell, Providence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Worcester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 102.523 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 155.206 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 113.001 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Worcester at 102.523 vs Boston at 108.266.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $798,217 to $430,112 moving to Worcester.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Worcester +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 72.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Boston (51.9°F) and Worcester (48.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Worcester averages 72.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 205,501 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $67,544 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.6 |
Worcester households earn about 5.3% less than Boston at the median — $94,755 → $67,544 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Worcester averages 72.9 in annually vs 49.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Worcester, MA from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 46 mi and the route typically takes 1h 2m via I 90 and MA 122. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Worcester more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Worcester is 5.3% lower than Boston (102.523 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Boston to Worcester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 46 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Worcester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,544 in Worcester vs $94,755 in Boston — a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Worcester compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $430,112 in Worcester vs $798,217 in Boston — a 46.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Boston and Worcester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.1°F in Worcester vs 51.9°F in Boston (3.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 72.9 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 43.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Worcester, MA.