01 · the cities
Worcester
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.
full dispatch→Manchester
Manchester is built around the Amoskeag Mills, once the largest cotton mill complex in the world, now converted into apartments, restaurants, and offices along the Merrimack River. The downtown's grown into a real food and brewery scene. It's the largest city in New Hampshire (still relatively small) and a quick drive to the lakes, the mountains, or Boston. Plus there's no state income tax or sales tax.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,140/mo
$2,092/mo
Median home price
Median home price
$486k
$548k
$62k more than Worcester
State income tax
State income tax
5.0%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,777/mo
$6,241/mo
Manchester has $464/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
148 days
154 days
6 more than Worcester
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
55 days
54 days
days below 20°F per year
Worcester and Manchester have remarkably similar weather profiles overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
62 / 100
3.0 pts ahead of Worcester
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
13 routes
11 more direct routes than Worcester
Metro size
Metro size
867k metro
427k metro
Worcester has 2.0x more events per month than Manchester.
the verdict
1
Worcester
categories won
5
Manchester
categories won
Manchester wins this comparison, leading on money and weather.
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