on $100k a year, leaving Lancaster
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 Lancaster ran you
Worcester costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$2,140/mo
41% more expensive than Lancaster(vs $1,517/mo)
5%
$161/mo more in state tax than Lancaster
vs 3.07% in Lancaster
$5,777/mo
$784 less than Lancaster
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$486k
27% more expensive than Lancaster
vs $384k in Lancaster
867k
vs 559k in Lancaster
field notes, weather & such.
148
pleasant days a year, in worcester.
Lancaster actually gets more: 158 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 55 days below 20° here, 25 in Lancaster.
A real upgrade on things to do: 2.0× Lancaster's pace.
59/100
6% lower than Lancaster
vs 63/100 in Lancaster
Closest outdoor draw: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, 14.9 mi.
90/100
7% lower than Lancaster
vs 97/100 in Lancaster
2
100% more than Lancaster
vs 1 nonstops in Lancaster
compare worcester with:
