same $100k income, fresh start from Asheville
changea dispatch from
worcester
MA
42.26°N
71.80°W
Worcester (pronounced 'WOO-stuh', please) is triple-deckers, classic American diners (the city helped invent the diner), and a college-heavy student population (Clark, Holy Cross, WPI, and a dozen more). The smiley face was invented here in 1963. It's central Massachusetts' working-class anchor and quietly gaining a real food scene. Cheaper than Boston, an hour away when you need it.
in our guides
the verdict
more each month than Asheville ran you
You'd pay for Worcester. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
a quick ledger.
$2,140/mo
23% more expensive than Asheville(vs $1,738/mo)
5%
$42/mo more in state tax than Asheville
vs 4.5% in Asheville
$5,777/mo
$443 less than Asheville
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$486k
13% more expensive than Asheville
vs $430k in Asheville
867k
vs 417k in Asheville
field notes, weather & such.
148
pleasant days a year, in worcester.
Asheville has the edge here, logging 201 pleasant days a year. The trade is winter: 55 days below 20°, vs 13 in Asheville.
A similar weekend lineup to Asheville.
59/100
11% lower than Asheville
vs 66/100 in Asheville
Closest outdoor draw: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, 14.9 mi.
90/100
43% higher than Asheville
vs 63/100 in Asheville
2
75% fewer than Asheville
vs 8 nonstops in Asheville
neighbors of worcester on the map of tradeoffs:
compare worcester with:
