same $100k income, fresh start from Austin
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 Austin ran you
Worcester costs noticeably more than Austin. You'd be paying for Worcester itself, not for breathing room around it.
a quick ledger.
$2,140/mo
35% more expensive than Austin(vs $1,583/mo)
5%
$417/mo more in state tax than Austin
vs 0% in Austin
$5,777/mo
$973 less than Austin
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$486k
12% more expensive than Austin
vs $433k in Austin
867k
vs 2.5M in Austin
field notes, weather & such.
148
pleasant days a year, in worcester.
Austin actually gets more: 170 pleasant days a year. Bring a real coat. 55 days stay under 20°, well past Austin's 1.
But the calendar thins out: Austin stays 4.0× busier.
59/100
5% higher than Austin
vs 56/100 in Austin
Closest outdoor draw: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, 14.9 mi.
90/100
9% lower than Austin
vs 99/100 in Austin
2
95% fewer than Austin
vs 42 nonstops in Austin
compare worcester with:
