Moving from Springfield, MA to Worcester, MA
It is a 52 mi drive, roughly 1h 8m, between Springfield, MA and Worcester, MA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
52 mi · 1h 8m by car · MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 290, I 291 |
| Major cities en route | Hartford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Worcester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.061 | 102.523 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.996 | 155.206 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.781 | 113.001 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.7% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $294,613 to $430,112 moving to Worcester.
YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, Worcester +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Springfield | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 72.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (49.4°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: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 205,501 |
| Median household income | $51,339 | $67,544 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.6 |
Worcester households earn about 6.7% more than Springfield at the median — $51,339 → $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
- Winter gear first: Worcester averages 72.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 much do homes cost in Worcester compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $430,112 in Worcester vs $294,613 in Springfield — a 46.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield 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 52 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Worcester more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Worcester is 6.7% higher than Springfield (102.523 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Worcester, MA from Springfield, MA?
The driving distance is 52 mi and the route typically takes 1h 8m via I 90 and I 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Worcester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,544 in Worcester vs $51,339 in Springfield — a 31.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MA · Worcester, MA.