CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Champaign is moderately cheaper than Worcester — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $88,500 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+57.8%
Champaign
71.6
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+3.6%
Champaign
93.6
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+1.6%
Champaign
104.6
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Champaign
94.6
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+71.5%
Champaign
90.5
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Champaign to see what you'd need to earn in Worcester to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.1057. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 57.8% higher housing costs compared to Champaign.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.