Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Riverside and Worcester have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Massachusetts salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Riverside has a housing index of 155 while Worcester sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Riverside costs $500,000 compared to $340,000 in Worcester, a difference of $160,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,800 in Riverside versus $1,600 in Worcester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Riverside scores 103 while Worcester scores 106.
Healthcare costs in Riverside (102) are lower than Worcester (115).
Median household income in Riverside is $67,068 compared to $52,228 in Worcester. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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