Moving from Cambridge, MA to Worcester, MA
The drive from Cambridge to Worcester covers 42 mi in about 57 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
42 mi · 57 min by car · MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, MA 122, US 3 |
| Major cities en route | Providence, Lowell, Brockton, Boston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cambridge | Worcester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 102.523 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 155.206 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 113.001 | 100.0 |
Worcester is 5.3% cheaper than Cambridge overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Worcester is 5.3% below Cambridge — $1,041,569 vs $430,112 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cambridge -1.5%, Worcester +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cambridge | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 72.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Cambridge (51.2°F) and Worcester (48.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Worcester averages 72.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US, WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cambridge | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 205,501 |
| Median household income | $126,469 | $67,544 |
| Median age | 30.5 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.3% between Cambridge and Worcester (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Worcester averages 72.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Worcester more expensive than Cambridge?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Worcester is 5.3% lower than Cambridge (102.523 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Worcester compared to Cambridge?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $430,112 in Worcester vs $1,041,569 in Cambridge — a 58.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cambridge vs Worcester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,544 in Worcester vs $126,469 in Cambridge — a 46.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Worcester, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance is 42 mi and the route typically takes 57 min via I 90 and MA 122. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cambridge to Worcester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 42 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cambridge.
City profiles: Cambridge, MA · Worcester, MA.