Rent vs buy in Worcester, MA
The typical rent in Worcester, Massachusetts is $2,122 /mo, and the typical home is $432,708.
Over 7 years, renting comes out $8k ahead.
Today's mortgage rate applies here, along with 20% down and Worcester's typical rent and home value. The break-even point comes in year 8.
Clearly labelled opinion with the math shown. The figures are estimates, not quotes. Change any number, and the stamp will change.
- Renting leads by
- $8k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- year 8 when owning catches up
- Full cost of owning
- $3,891 each month year 1, against $2,122 rent
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The stamp relies on Worcester's typical rent and home value. Changing the figures for rent, price, and years may reverse the result.
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Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Worcester?
When you include the money returned after selling, renting costs $7,641 less over 7 years. For the first 7 years, renting costs less. By year 8, owning has caught up.
Rent. Own. Net cost through each year.
Average rent compared with mortgage payment in Worcester
Rent and the mortgage don't cover everything. All monthly costs for year 1, based on Worcester's typical price, are included.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2,122 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $2,359 | $2,079 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $454 | 1.26% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $113 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $361 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $3,287 | $280 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $703 | The yearly return on the cash: 8.3% |
| Buying costs, spread out | $180 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $3,891 | Subtract the equity part from cash out, then add both lines listed above. |
Numbers behind the Worcester verdict
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $432,708
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $2,122 /mo
- Down payment20% avoids private mortgage insurance, which the engine does not model
- 20%
- Mortgage rateFreddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (FRED MORTGAGE30US)
- 7.24%
- Home price growthFHFA house price index, Massachusetts, 1995 to 2025
- 5.1% a year
- Rent growthCPI rent of primary residence, yearly growth 2006 to 2026
- 3.5% a year
- Return on savings60% S&P 500 with dividends and 40% 10-year Treasuries, rebalanced yearly, 1928 to 2025
- 8.3% a year
- Property taxCensus ACS 2020-2024, Worcester
- 1.26% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Worcester
- $113 /mo
- MaintenanceFannie Mae, low end of 1% to 4%
- 1% of value a year
- Buying costsFreddie Mac, middle of 2% to 5%
- 3.5% of price
- Selling costsAgent commission plus closing costs
- 6% of price
What could change the Worcester verdict?
Each line marks where the 7-year verdict changes in Worcester, while all other factors stay the same.
Renting wins under these conditions
- Our calculation applies 5.1%, Massachusetts's long-run rate, to home prices that grow by less than 5.3% a year.
- For mortgages, the rate stays above 6.93%.
- For a similar home, monthly rent is below $2,200 (typical here: $2,122).
- Your move happens before year 8.
Buying wins under these conditions
- Prices for homes rise by more than 5.3% a year.
- You lock in a mortgage rate under 6.93% (today's is 7.24%).
- The same home would rent for more than $2,200 a month.
- Your stay lasts 8 years or longer.
Worcester compared with 812 other cities
| Measure | Worcester | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $432,708 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $2,122 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 17.0 (#492 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 7.7% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 5.9% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 1.26% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 57% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
More cities in Massachusetts
- Boston, MA. Rent; renting wins by $10k.
- Springfield, MA. Buy; buying wins by $18k.
- Cambridge, MA. Rent; renting wins by $83k.
- Lowell, MA. Rent; renting wins by $9k.
- Brockton, MA. Rent; renting wins by $19k.
- Lynn, MA. Rent; renting wins by $45k.
- Quincy, MA. Rent; renting wins by $51k.
- New Bedford, MA. Rent; renting wins by $40k.
- Fall River, MA. Rent; renting wins by $29k.
- Newton, MA. Rent; renting wins by $317k.
- Lawrence, MA. Toss-up; renting is ahead by $2k.
- Somerville, MA is where renting comes out ahead by $65k.