CostIndexUSA

Scottsdale, AZ vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Scottsdale
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Worcester is slightly cheaper than Scottsdale — 0.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Scottsdale, you would need $79,400 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.8%
Scottsdale
121.2
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+2.1%
Scottsdale
95
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation2.7%
Scottsdale
109.2
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare2.7%
Scottsdale
98.8
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+66.3%
Scottsdale
93.3
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$79,400
$600 less needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9923. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Worcester, MA

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

Scottsdale has 6.8% lower housing costs compared to Worcester.

Income & Job Market

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
258,069
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismTechnologyFinanceReal Estate

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).

Scottsdale, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.