Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Worcester to Houston
Comparing Worcester, Massachusetts, and Houston, Texas, using 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct financial trade-offs. Worcester offers a higher median household income of $70,102 compared to Houston's $64,813, alongside a slightly shorter derived commute of 27 minutes versus 30 minutes in Houston. However, Worcester features higher housing costs, with a median gross rent of $1,487 and a median owner-occupied home value of $374,400. In contrast, Houston presents lower housing expenses, showing a median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800. Additionally, Houston includes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 0.00%, while Worcester's state income tax is excluded due to a lack of an approved official reference. A uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 applies to both.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → WorcesterMoving from Worcester to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$126/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$1,512/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTWOR → HOU
64/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$13,896after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $1,512 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Worcester household income$70,102
Houston household income$64,813
Worcester gross rent$1,487
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Worcester | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 207,055 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $70,102 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,487 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $374,400 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Worcester and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Worcester offers higher median household income
- Houston provides lower median home values
- Worcester features a slightly shorter commute
- Houston records lower median gross rent
What each city wins
Worcester
A median owner-occupied home value of $374,400.. Watch a 27-minute derived commute against citywide median costs..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do median household incomes compare between Worcester and Houston?
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Worcester has a median household income of $70,102, whereas Houston records a median household income of $64,813.
What are the housing cost differences between the two cities?
Worcester features a median gross rent of $1,487 and a median owner-occupied home value of $374,400. Houston reports a lower median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.