$142,285/yr
is the income needed to buy the typical $482,611 home in Worcester, MA at today's 6.47% rate — about $3,320/mo. The local median household ($93,561) falls $48,724 short.
The math (shown)
482,611 price − 10% down (48,261) = 434,350 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.47% on 434,350 = 2,737/mo principal+interest
+ 583/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
3,320/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 11,857/mo → 142,285/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-05 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)) and the 6.47% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-06-18). Local median income: $93,561 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year, median household income (table B19013)).
Can I afford Worcester, MA on my salary?
Your salary:
Rent vs own here
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FAQ
How much do I need to make to live in Worcester, MA?
To buy the typical home, about $142,285/yr. Renting needs less; this page sizes the buy.
What home value is this based on?
Zillow's ZHVI typical-home-value for the Worcester, MA metro (2026-05): $482,611.
Is the mortgage rate current?
Yes — 6.47% from FRED's weekly 30-year fixed average (2026-06-18).
Glossary
ZHVI
Zillow Home Value Index — the typical home value for a region (35th–65th percentile, smoothed, seasonally adjusted).
Front-end DTI
Housing payment as a share of gross income; lenders commonly cap it near 28%.
PITI
Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the full monthly housing cost.