4% surtax on income over ~$1M (the 'Fair Share'/millionaires tax)
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.39%
metro-area
#138 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,823
metro-area
#172 of 200
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.8 years
metro-area
#38 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$8,200
state
#193 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)
3.2%
metro-area
#2 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k
93
metro-area
#26 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$21,000
state
#197 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$60
state
#19 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.25% of value (~$630/yr)
state
#181 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
29 min
metro-area
#176 of 200
Commute by driving alone
71.8%
metro-area
#57 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
44.5%
metro-area
#182 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
29.4¢/kWh
state
#166 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$265
state
#166 of 200
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$108
state
#198 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$71
state
#25 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,800
state
#100 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#41 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
93.5 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#132 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
37
metro-area
#16 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)
87%
state
#151 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,600
metro-area
#138 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F
2
metro-area
#6 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200
Annual snowfall
49.2"
metro-area
#175 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
330
state
#43 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,100
state
#3 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
19
metro-area
#174 of 200
Parks
19
Hiking areas
1
Golf courses
6
Shooting ranges
3
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#147 of 200
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Worcester
Major public and private employers in the Worcester, MA area.
