Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Worcester to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has higher median household income ($81,332 vs $70,102) and higher median home value ($420,700 vs $374,400) than Worcester, but also higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,487). Worcester has a slightly shorter commute (27 vs 28 minutes). Phoenix applies a 2.50% state individual income tax in the calculator model, while Worcester’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. These trade-offs reflect differing cost-of-living and earnings profiles without implying overall superiority.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → WorcesterMoving from Worcester to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$95/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$1,140 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 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 → PHX
60/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$8,444after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Worcester is about $1,140 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Worcester gross rent$1,487
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Worcester | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 207,055 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $70,102 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,487 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $374,400 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Worcester and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
What each city wins
Worcester
A median owner-occupied home value of $374,400.. Watch a 27-minute derived commute against citywide median costs..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Phoenix has higher median rent and home values than Worcester, but also higher income. Rent-to-income ratio is roughly 23.4% in Phoenix vs 25.5% in Worcester, suggesting Worcester’s rent burden is slightly higher relative to earnings.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
Worcester has a derived one-way commute estimate of 27 minutes, while Phoenix’s is 28 minutes, based on 2024 ACS table B08303 weighted midpoints. The difference is minimal and within typical variability for midsize to large metro areas.
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.