Moving from Worcester, MA to Boston, MA
It is a short 46 mi hop from Worcester, MA to Boston, 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
| Worcester | Boston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.6% 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 5.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $430,112 to $798,217 moving to Boston.
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, Boston -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Worcester | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | 49.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 43.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Worcester (48.1°F) and Boston (51.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Boston averages 49.2 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: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 663,972 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $94,755 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 28.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.38 |
Boston households earn about 5.6% more than Worcester at the median — $67,544 → $94,755 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: Boston averages 49.2 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 far is Boston, MA from Worcester, 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.
How does household income compare in Worcester vs Boston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,755 in Boston vs $67,544 in Worcester — a 40.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Worcester to Boston?
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 much do homes cost in Boston compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $798,217 in Boston vs $430,112 in Worcester — a 85.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Boston more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boston is 5.6% higher than Worcester (108.266 vs 102.523, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Worcester and Boston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.9°F in Boston vs 48.1°F in Worcester (3.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.2 in vs 72.9 in. Annual precipitation: 43.6 in vs 48.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA · Boston, MA.