Worcester, MA vs Barnstable, MA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Barnstable, MA is 4.1% less expensive than Worcester, MA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Worcester works out to about $71,900 in Barnstable, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 20.3% less in Barnstable. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,578 a month in Barnstable and $2,105 in Worcester, $5,676 a year more in Barnstable (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $757,000 in Barnstable and $477,000 in Worcester.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (4.2%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 20.3% lower in Barnstable than in Worcester
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
All items Worcester, MA: 102.5 Barnstable, MA: 98.4
Goods Worcester, MA: 97.0 Barnstable, MA: 97.0
Housing (rents) Worcester, MA: 113.0 Barnstable, MA: 90.0
Utilities Worcester, MA: 155.2 Barnstable, MA: 158.5
Other services Worcester, MA: 101.2 Barnstable, MA: 101.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.5 | 98.4 |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 113.0 | 90.0 |
| Utilities | 155.2 | 158.5 |
| Other services | 101.2 | 101.2 |
| Category | Worcester | Barnstable | Barnstable vs Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.5 | 98.4 | −4.1% |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.0 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 113.0 | 90.0 | −20.3% |
| Utilities | 155.2 | 158.5 | +2.1% |
| Other services | 101.2 | 101.2 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,105 | $2,578 | +22.5% |
| Typical home value | $477,000 | $757,000 | +58.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Worcester | $75,000 | $71,900 | −4.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Worcester and Barnstable has widened since 2008: 1.9 points then, 4.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 104.7 | 102.8 |
| 2009 | 103.5 | 102.7 |
| 2010 | 103.2 | 105.2 |
| 2011 | 103.8 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 103.0 | 100.9 |
| 2013 | 101.7 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 103.1 | 104.5 |
| 2015 | 102.0 | 105.7 |
| 2016 | 106.3 | 105.8 |
| 2017 | 104.8 | 105.8 |
| 2018 | 101.4 | 101.1 |
| 2019 | 101.0 | 105.2 |
| 2020 | 101.8 | 101.3 |
| 2021 | 100.4 | 101.4 |
| 2022 | 105.1 | 108.8 |
| 2023 | 103.0 | 106.5 |
| 2024 | 102.5 | 98.4 |
Goods
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.3 | 99.8 |
| 2009 | 97.3 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 102.0 | 97.9 |
| 2012 | 101.9 | 97.4 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 105.1 | 97.6 |
| 2015 | 102.8 | 98.8 |
| 2016 | 104.7 | 98.3 |
| 2017 | 104.5 | 99.5 |
| 2018 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2019 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2020 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2021 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2022 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2023 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2024 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.4 | 106.8 |
| 2009 | 112.8 | 104.9 |
| 2010 | 113.1 | 127.3 |
| 2011 | 117.4 | 99.3 |
| 2012 | 113.7 | 107.0 |
| 2013 | 114.9 | 97.6 |
| 2014 | 114.1 | 126.8 |
| 2015 | 101.8 | 126.0 |
| 2016 | 109.7 | 123.3 |
| 2017 | 105.9 | 119.3 |
| 2018 | 105.0 | 101.7 |
| 2019 | 102.9 | 124.9 |
| 2020 | 102.8 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 104.8 | 107.9 |
| 2022 | 106.8 | 125.2 |
| 2023 | 109.2 | 124.2 |
| 2024 | 113.0 | 90.0 |
Utilities
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 152.2 | 139.4 |
| 2009 | 143.6 | 137.1 |
| 2010 | 113.8 | 122.5 |
| 2011 | 120.4 | 121.5 |
| 2012 | 128.5 | 119.4 |
| 2013 | 115.1 | 123.6 |
| 2014 | 110.1 | 127.9 |
| 2015 | 119.7 | 133.8 |
| 2016 | 135.6 | 132.8 |
| 2017 | 153.2 | 137.0 |
| 2018 | 142.1 | 147.6 |
| 2019 | 142.1 | 144.7 |
| 2020 | 157.8 | 155.0 |
| 2021 | 149.2 | 148.9 |
| 2022 | 146.0 | 149.1 |
| 2023 | 156.5 | 158.7 |
| 2024 | 155.2 | 158.5 |
Other services
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.4 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 103.6 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 102.4 | 99.8 |
| 2011 | 101.2 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 100.5 | 99.8 |
| 2013 | 98.4 | 101.9 |
| 2014 | 99.5 | 98.7 |
| 2015 | 101.0 | 101.4 |
| 2016 | 105.4 | 102.1 |
| 2017 | 103.4 | 102.9 |
| 2018 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| 2019 | 100.9 | 100.9 |
| 2020 | 101.6 | 101.6 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 99.9 |
| 2022 | 105.6 | 105.6 |
| 2023 | 102.1 | 102.1 |
| 2024 | 101.2 | 101.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,578 in Barnstable vs $2,105 in Worcester
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,051 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,071 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,073 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,089 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,073 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,131 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,137 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,137 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,157 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,196 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,182 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,203 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,220 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,257 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,268 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,276 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,299 | $1,587 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,328 | $1,520 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,334 | $1,534 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,347 | $1,708 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,379 | $1,727 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,401 | $1,695 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,412 | $1,786 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,431 | $1,784 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,457 | $1,833 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,518 | $1,978 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,571 | $1,979 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,603 | $2,002 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,638 | $2,152 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,721 | $2,149 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,740 | $2,252 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,745 | $2,197 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,788 | $2,285 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,833 | $2,351 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,866 | $2,359 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,872 | $2,328 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,905 | $2,429 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,956 | $2,441 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,990 | $2,442 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,983 | $2,428 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,028 | $2,492 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,064 | $2,532 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,075 | $2,526 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,077 | $2,489 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,077 | $2,596 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,106 | $2,599 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,105 | $2,578 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $757,000 in Barnstable vs $477,000 in Worcester
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Worcester, MA
- Barnstable, MA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Worcester, MA | Barnstable, MA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $229K | $367K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $231K | $371K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $234K | $376K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $237K | $380K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $240K | $383K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $244K | $385K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $247K | $387K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $251K | $393K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $255K | $399K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $261K | $405K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $265K | $410K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $269K | $415K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $274K | $421K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $279K | $428K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $283K | $435K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $283K | $435K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $285K | $437K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $289K | $441K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $291K | $440K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $295K | $442K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $300K | $447K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $305K | $450K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $312K | $459K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $329K | $487K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $345K | $519K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $362K | $564K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $366K | $585K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $366K | $596K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $384K | $633K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $403K | $670K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $404K | $674K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $401K | $670K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $404K | $666K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $415K | $685K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $429K | $706K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $437K | $717K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $443K | $718K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $452K | $733K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $458K | $742K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $464K | $742K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $467K | $743K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $466K | $740K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $467K | $736K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $472K | $742K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $474K | $748K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $475K | $749K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $477K | $757K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.