The Worcester metro is home to 861,664 people (down 8.2% over five years), with a median household income of $93,561. Typical rent of $2,105/month works out to 27.0% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Worcester's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 28.0% |
| Professional & management | 12.3% |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% |
| Retail trade | 11.2% |
| Construction | 7.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 27.0% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Worcester market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,105/month suggests a household income around $84,000/year. The metro's median household income is $93,561.
By workforce share: Education & health care (28.0%), Professional & management (12.3%), Manufacturing (11.6%) (Census ACS 5-year).