City Comparison

Nampa vs Worcester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

Worcester

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

The Verdict

16.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.0%, with Nampa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to $89,286 in Worcester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
152
Worcester
Groceries
105
Nampa
106
Worcester
Utilities
83
Nampa
122
Worcester
Transportation
113
Nampa
103
Worcester
Healthcare
102
Nampa
115
Worcester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $89,286 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $63,000 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $340,000. The $31,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,016 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $504/month in Worcester. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa 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 102 in Nampa and 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $74,300 in Nampa and $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $41,782 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,219/month in Worcester. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/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 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 16.0% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 125.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,286 in Worcester, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while Worcester's is 152 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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