Worcester, MABest Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024

Very snowy winters make you feel like you earned the summers, which are magical. The average highs and lows are 77°F and 62°F (summer) and 38°F and 22°F (winter).

The average annual snowfall in Worcester is 59 inches. The city has cold and snowy winters, with the highest chances of snowfall in January and February. 

The average annual rainfall in Worcester is 48 inches. 

Worcester averages 197 sunny days a year.

Visit the quaint Newton Hill at Elm Park, a historic public park established in 1854. Numerous historic structures can be spotted around the picturesque tree-lined trails. You can also spend your weekends exploring the more than five dozen parks in the region. Some noteworthy ones include Salisbury Park, where you’ll find the 56-foot-tall stone and granite Bancroft Tower, which looks like a mini feudal castle, and Quinsigamond State Park, where you can sail or swim at Regatta Point. 

Spend an afternoon at the Worcester Art Museum. Admission is free on the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the museum has a vast collection of artwork from a variety of cultures and periods. 

Don’t miss the EcoTarium, a science and nature museum with three floors chock-full of fascinating exhibits – including animal habitats. 

There are plenty of things you need to know about Worcester, but most importantly, Worcester is for lovers. According to folklore, Worcester resident Esther Howland received an English valentine, which inspired her to design her own. Worcester went on to become, well, the heart of the commercial valentine industry for a century. And there’s always something to smile about here. No, seriously! Harvey Ball, an ad exec in Worcester, invented the smiley face.

Head to the Worcester Public Market. “[This is] a year-round indoor market featuring local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal products and more,” says Samanjar Ashraf, marketing specialist for Discover Central Massachusetts. 

Work your way through the 40 different kinds of tapas on the menu at Bocado Tapas Bar.

Built in 1904 and claiming to have something for everyone, The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts is a beautiful venue that offers a wide range of music, dance, theater and other performances.

Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern on Park Avenue is a hot spot for not only some seriously good Italian eats – we’re looking at you, thin-crust pizza – but also for happy hour deals and excellent cocktails.

Worcester has a diverse economy with a range of industries that contribute to the city’s growth and development, including health care and life sciences, education, and manufacturing. Hanover Insurance, Worcester Public Schools and UMass Memorial Health Care are among the largest employers. 

In 2024, the sales tax rate in Worcester is 6.25%. 

Yes, Massachusetts has a state income tax. 

Worcester residents are in good health. UMass Memorial Medical Center is rated high performing in 11 adult procedures and conditions. The hospital is part of the UMass Memorial Health Care system, which offers a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and orthopedics. 

There are several colleges and universities in Worcester, including Clark University, Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College.