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County in Massachusetts

Worcester County, Massachusetts

Worcester County, in Massachusetts, has 867,788 residents: No. 2 of 14 by population. Worcester County has an FHA limit of $545,100 for one-unit homes. The typical home value here is $423,700. HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,659–$2,499 a month; to pay it without spending more than 30% of your income, you need to earn about $31.90–$48.06 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $423,700

    −25% vs. Massachusetts +27% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • Worcester
    • Massachusetts
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,659–$2,499 a month

    HUD sets it by area: from the lowest to the highest of the 4 areas in Worcester County.

    • Lowest area
    • Highest area
    • Massachusetts
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $545,100

    FHA high-cost area

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • Worcester
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    1.28% of value per year

    +20% vs. Massachusetts +36% vs. U.S.

    $5,438 a year for the typical owner

    • Worcester
    • Massachusetts
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$495,048
1.9% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,119 a month
1.5% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in Worcester County today?

The monthly payment on a typical home with FHA would be about $3,634, that is, 45% of the typical household income in Worcester County. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $155,751 a year; the typical income here is $95,939. Homes here are worth 25% less than the average across Massachusetts. This is a high-cost area for FHA: the limit is above the national floor.

Renting is a stretch: 51% of renters put 30% or more of their income toward housing. There are 4 agencies with HUD-approved housing counselors who speak Spanish near here.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); HUD (2026 data); HUD (Retrieved November 6, 2026).

Only here

What sets Worcester County apart

  1. Among the neighboring counties, Hampden County has the lowest typical home value ($298,800), 29% below the $423,700 in Worcester County.

  2. Nearby, in Hampden County, the typical rent is $1,136: 20% less than in Worcester County ($1,426).

  3. From 2020 to 2025, home prices in Worcester County rose 55% on FHFA's index, faster than in Massachusetts (49%).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FHFA (2025 data).

The homes here

Housing in Worcester County

What homes there are in Worcester County, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 57% of homes here, against 51% in Massachusetts.

Year built

In Worcester County, half of the homes were built before 1967; in Massachusetts, before 1964.

Homes in Worcester County are bigger: 59% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Massachusetts, 56%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

By price, most homes in Worcester County sit under the FHA limit for this county ($545,100): about 71%.

Monthly rent with utilities

About 80% of rented homes in Worcester County cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for this county ($2,043).

With a mortgage

$2,387 a month

Massachusetts: $2,726 a month

Without a mortgage

$951 a month

Massachusetts: $1,043 a month

Owners with a mortgage

68%

Massachusetts: 66%

Owning costs less in Worcester County: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $2,387 a month; in Massachusetts, $2,726. Without one, $951.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Worcester County rose 51%; in Massachusetts, it rose 47%.

Rents in Worcester County rose at about the same pace as in Massachusetts: 35% since 2015–2019, against 37%.

The typical household income in Worcester County rose 29%: less than home values (+51%) and rent (+35%).

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureWorcester CountyMassachusettsUnited States
Rental vacancy 3.3%3.5%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 0.5%0.6%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.9%2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.502.442.53
Drive alone 71%61%69%
Carpool 8%7%9%
Public transit 2%7%3%
Walk or bike 2%5%3%
Work from home 16%19%15%
Other means 2%2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Open rentals in Worcester County look like those in Massachusetts: the rental vacancy rate is 3.3%.

More than one person per room: that is how 1.9% of households in Worcester County live, near the figure in Massachusetts (2.3%).

Much as in Massachusetts, a household in Worcester County has 2.50 people on average.

In Worcester County, 71% of workers drive alone to work; in Massachusetts, 61%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in Worcester County?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home of $423,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 45% of the typical household income here, which is $95,939 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $155,751 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Worcester County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $14,830 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$3,634

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$416,025
Total interest
$598,563
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $7,155 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,239 a month

  • Tight

    $2,239 to $2,878 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,878 a month

    Your payment · 45%

Compared with the typical household income in Worcester County ($95,939 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,634
Principal & interest$2,818
Property tax$452
Home insurance$177
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$187

You need at least $14,830 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

Buying a home

Buying a home in Worcester County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how Worcester County compares with Massachusetts and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Worcester County rose 95% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here Massachusetts United States
In 2025 +3.4% +3.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +55% +49% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +95% +87% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Worcester County compared with Massachusetts and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Worcester $423,700
  • Massachusetts $562,100
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • Worcester $1,426
  • Massachusetts $1,762
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • Worcester $95,939
  • Massachusetts $103,960
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Worcester compared with Massachusetts and the United States
MeasureHereMassachusettsU.S.
Residents867,7887,044,056334,922,499
Typical home value$423,700$562,100$332,700
Typical household income$95,939$103,960$80,734
Typical rent$1,426$1,762$1,413
Typical property tax$5,438$5,992$3,119
Effective tax rate1.28%1.07%0.94%
Households that own their home66%63%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent51%52%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$545,100$962,550$541,287

FHA limit: Massachusetts shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Worcester County

For a typical $423,700 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $3,634 $14,830 $416,026 7.18% FHA MIP · $187 $27,541 580
Conventional, 5% down $3,557 $21,185 $402,515 7.18% PMI · $201 $33,896 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,925 $84,740 $338,960 7.18% None $97,451 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $3,316 $63,555 $360,145 8.18% None $76,266 Set by the lender
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

Everything about buying in Worcester County: income, limits and help How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

This is a high-cost area, so FHA limits in Worcester County are above the national floor. The limit is set for the whole metro area (Worcester, MA). If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $545,100 $832,750
2 units $697,800 $1,066,250
3 units $843,500 $1,288,800
4 units $1,048,300 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in Worcester County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In Worcester County, the typical owner pays $5,438 a year: about 1.28% of the home's value. That is more than the rest of Massachusetts and more than the national average.

  • Worcester 1.28%
  • Massachusetts 1.07%
  • United States 0.94%

What Massachusetts publishes Local senior exemption (clause 41C) (Massachusetts General Court (General Laws))

Exemptions and deadlines in Massachusetts

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Worcester County 0.5% of homes (1,010) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 65% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in Worcester County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in Worcester County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

In Worcester County, FEMA rates the natural hazard risk as relatively moderate.

FEMA builds that rating from three parts: expected loss, social vulnerability and community resilience.

The loss FEMA expects each year in Worcester County from all natural hazards is $163 million, counting buildings, people and crops.

The hazard that would do the most damage to homes and buildings here is inland flooding: about $89.1 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. Inland floodingRelatively high $89.1 million a year
  2. HurricaneRelatively high $35.2 million a year
  3. EarthquakeRelatively low $4.7 million a year
  4. TornadoRelatively moderate $4.2 million a year
  5. WildfireVery low $99,475 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

The home energy code (IECC) puts Worcester County in zone 5A: cold.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Check that the ground slopes away from the house, so water does not collect around the foundation. EPA

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Seal air leaks and add insulation in the attic: ENERGY STAR says it lowers the chance of ice dams on the roof in snowy climates. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Put clear plastic film over the windows: it is inexpensive, cuts drafts, helps the house feel warmer in winter and reduces moisture on the glass. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$36.30$22.30 and $48.19
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$39.55$23.49 and $57.68
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$35.48$23.22 and $46.54
Roofers$50.61$25.66 and $51.10
Carpenters$35.10$22.33 and $51.35
Painters, construction and maintenance$26.08$20.86 and $40.37
Maintenance and repair workers, general$26.52$18.18 and $37.32

According to BLS, an electrician earns about $36.30 an hour in the Worcester, MA area; a plumber, about $39.55.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in Worcester County

The typical rent in Worcester County is $1,426 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

51% of renter households in Worcester County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 25% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size in Worcester, MA HUD Metro FMR Area

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $1,577 $30.33 $63,080
1 bedroom $1,587 $30.52 $63,480
2 bedrooms $2,043 $39.29 $81,720
3 bedrooms $2,560 $49.23 $102,400
4 bedrooms $2,915 $56.06 $116,600

HUD splits this county into 4 areas with different fair market rents: for 2 bedrooms they run from $1,659 to $2,499. The table is for Worcester, MA HUD Metro FMR Area, the area where most people live; below you see every area with its towns. Includes basic utilities.

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Fair market rent by HUD area in Worcester County

HUD splits this county into 4 areas, each with its own fair market rent. Find your town in its area's list; the housing agency tells you which one it uses for your voucher.

HUD area Studio1 bd2 bd3 bd4 bdHourly wage, 2 bd
Worcester, MA HUD Metro FMR Area The area where most people live
33 towns in this area

Auburn town, Barre town, Boylston town, Brookfield town, Charlton town, Clinton town, Douglas town, Dudley town, East Brookfield town, Grafton town, Holden town, Leicester town, Millbury town, Northborough town, Northbridge town, North Brookfield town, Oakham town, Oxford town, Paxton town, Princeton town, Rutland town, Shrewsbury town, Southbridge Town city, Spencer town, Sterling town, Sturbridge town, Sutton town, Uxbridge town, Webster town, Westborough town, West Boylston town, West Brookfield town, Worcester city

 $1,577$1,587$2,043$2,560$2,915$39.29
Fitchburg-Leominster, MA HUD Metro FMR Area
8 towns in this area

Ashburnham town, Fitchburg city, Gardner city, Leominster city, Lunenburg town, Templeton town, Westminster town, Winchendon town

 $1,323$1,571$1,900$2,419$2,828$36.54
Eastern Worcester County, MA HUD Metro FMR Area
11 towns in this area

Berlin town, Blackstone town, Bolton town, Harvard town, Hopedale town, Lancaster town, Mendon town, Milford town, Millville town, Southborough town, Upton town

 $1,740$1,910$2,499$3,424$3,736$48.06
Western Worcester County, MA HUD Metro FMR Area
8 towns in this area

Athol town, Hardwick town, Hubbardston town, New Braintree town, Petersham town, Phillipston town, Royalston town, Warren town

 $1,280$1,288$1,659$2,297$2,773$31.90

HUD fair market rent by area and size, per month, Fiscal year 2027. The wage is what full-time work must pay to rent 2 bedrooms without spending more than 30% of income. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027 Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Free help in Worcester County

Programs and counseling in Worcester County

There are 3 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Worcester County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, with rent, or if you've fallen behind on payments.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

A family roasts marshmallows over a campfire at a forest campsite.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Massachusetts down payment programs

  1. MassHousing Down Payment Assistance

    Massachusetts state agency second mortgage for the down payment: up to $30,000 at 0% and deferred, or up to $25,000 at 2% or 3% over 15 years, for first-time buyers with eligible income

    First-time buyers only. Run by MassHousing.

    DeferredRepayable Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all Massachusetts programs

Help in Spanish in Worcester County

3 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this county.

  • Worcester Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (508) 635-3000
  • Milford Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (508) 473-9521

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These agencies have an office in Worcester County. The full list is on the Massachusetts counselors page. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • Newvue Communities, Inc.

    470 Main St, Fitchburg · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 3 more
    (978) 342-9561

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Worcester, MA

    652 Park Ave, Worcester · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 7 more
    (602) 627-6222

  • Rcap Solutions, Inc.

    191 May St, Worcester · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (978) 630-6772
See every agency in Massachusetts

Places

Cities in Worcester County

Each city has its own page with prices, rents and help. These are the largest.

See all 13 cities of Worcester County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with Worcester County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in Worcester County in 2026?

Worcester County has an FHA limit of $545,100 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $697,800, for 3 it's $843,500 and for 4 it's $1,048,300. It's a high-cost area, so the limit is above the national floor.

What is the conforming loan limit in Worcester County?

Worcester County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in Worcester County?

The typical home value in Worcester County is $423,700 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across Massachusetts it's $562,100.

How much does it cost to rent in Worcester County?

Worcester County has a typical rent of $1,426 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,659–$2,499 (Fiscal year 2027). HUD sets it by area within this county: the figure runs from the lowest area to the highest.

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Worcester County?

About $31.90–$48.06 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $66,360–$99,960 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,659–$2,499 stays under 30% of income. HUD sets it by area within this county: the figure runs from the lowest area to the highest.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).