CostIndexUSA

Wichita, KS vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Wichita is significantly cheaper than Worcester — 15.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Wichita, you would need $92,200 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+70.7%
Wichita
66.2
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+3.2%
Wichita
94
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+7.9%
Wichita
98.5
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+7.9%
Wichita
89.1
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+75.4%
Wichita
88.5
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$92,200
$12,200 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 88.9) = salary × 1.1530. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Wichita, KS

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
66.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Worcester, MA

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

Worcester has 70.7% higher housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Wichita, KS

Median Household Income
$67,400
Per Capita Income
$38,400
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
397,532
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureEnergy

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).

Wichita, KS
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.