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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Worcester

Affordable Housing in Worcester, MA

Worcester offers a substantial base of income-based rental housing, with 63 properties and 6,621 affordable units across the city. With a median market rent of $1,487 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), income-based housing can provide meaningful savings for eligible renters in one of Massachusetts's largest cities. Of the 32 properties with inspection scores on file, 25 earned an excellent rating.

63
Properties
6,621
Total units
92/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,487/mo

Affordability in Worcester

Worcester's median household income is $70,102 and the median gross rent is $1,487 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). With 57% of residents renting their homes, the city has a large renter population, and access to income-restricted housing can make a meaningful difference for many households.

  • Lease Lantern tracks 34 HUD-assisted and income-based properties in Worcester, covering 5,041 units.
Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
641 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to the Worcester Police Department's data reported to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Worcester had a violent crime rate of 641 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting methods and definitions.

Of the 34 HUD-assisted properties in Worcester tracked by Lease Lantern, none are located in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 89 · Very Walkable

Getting Around Worcester

Around the assisted properties in Worcester, Walk Score rates the area 89 (Very Walkable), with a Transit Score of 43 (Some Transit) and a Bike Score of 55, according to Walk Score.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
51 schools · 5 districts

Schools

Worcester is served by 51 public schools across 5 districts, including 37 elementary, 4 middle, and 10 high schools, according to the NCES Common Core of Data. Quality and programs vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before applying.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$70,102 median income

Cost of Living in Worcester

The median household income in Worcester is $70,102 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median asking rent citywide is $1,487 per month, which can stretch budgets -- making income-restricted housing an important resource for many residents.

Worcester has 34 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties offering 5,041 total units across the city. These programs set rent based on your income rather than market rates, so your actual cost will depend on the property type and your household's qualifying income.

  • Median household income: $70,102/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median market rent: $1,487/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Share of households that rent: 57% (Census ACS 5-Year)
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Environmental Exposure

All 34 HUD-assisted properties in Worcester have been mapped for flood risk. None fall in a high-risk flood zone, which is a reassuring finding for renters considering these properties.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 92/100(32 of 63 scored)
90+ (25)70–89 (7)No score (31)

63 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 63 affordable apartments in Worcester→

Other cities in MA

› Affordable housing in Boston› Cambridge income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Chelsea› Chicopee affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Dorchester› Affordable housing in Fall River› Framingham income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Haverhill› Holyoke affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Jamaica Plain› Affordable housing in Lawrence› Lowell income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in MA› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Worcester, MA

Worcester is one of Massachusetts's largest cities and home to a substantial affordable housing inventory, with 34 HUD-assisted properties and 5,041 income-based units available to renters. A strong majority of residents -- 57 percent -- rent their homes, according to the Census ACS 5-Year data, making assisted housing an important resource across the city.

Of the 32 properties with HUD inspection scores on record, 25 earned an excellent rating and 7 earned a good rating, with no properties rated fair or poor. The average inspection score across scored properties is 92, according to HUD inspection data.

None of the 34 mapped properties carry a high flood risk designation, which is a reassuring baseline for renters weighing long-term stability.

The median market rent in Worcester is $1,487 per month and the median household income is $70,102 per year, according to the Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024). For households that qualify, income-based housing can represent meaningful savings against those market-rate costs.

Worcester scores an 89 (Very Walkable) and 43 (Some Transit) according to Walk Score, meaning many daily errands are reachable on foot, though riders may want to confirm specific transit routes for their commute.

The city is served by 5 school districts operating 51 public schools -- including 37 elementary, 4 middle, and 10 high schools -- according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Eligibility & how to apply

Massachusetts income limits (2026)Massachusetts public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Massachusetts

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →