City Comparison

Fishers vs Worcester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fishers

Indiana
106
Above Average
$391,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$130,200
Median Income

Worcester

Massachusetts
125
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$52,228
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Fishers being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fishers has equivalent purchasing power to $88,443 in Worcester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
120
Fishers
152
Worcester
Groceries
99
Fishers
106
Worcester
Utilities
100
Fishers
122
Worcester
Transportation
102
Fishers
103
Worcester
Healthcare
99
Fishers
115
Worcester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fishers has the same purchasing power as $88,443 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $63,600 in Fishers.

Living in Fishers vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Fishers's housing index of 120 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $391,000 vs $340,000. The $51,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Fishers compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fishers and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fishers vs $504/month in Worcester. Fishers offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Fishers and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Fishers vs $488 in Worcester. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Fishers and 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $130,200 in Fishers and $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $122,830 and $41,782 respectively. Fishers residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,038/month to housing in Fishers vs $1,219/month in Worcester. In Fishers, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fishers is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 125.
A $75,000 salary in Fishers has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,443 in Worcester, based on the cost of living difference.
Fishers's housing index is 120 with median homes at $391,000, while Worcester's is 152 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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