Downtown / City Hall area
455 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608
Living in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is the county seat of Worcester County and the second-largest city in Massachusetts, about 40 miles west of Boston. It was settled in 1673, resettled permanently in 1713, and incorporated as a town in 1722 before becoming a city in 1848. The Blackstone River runs through the center of the city, and the Blackstone Canal and the arrival of the railroad in the 1800s built Worcester into a manufacturing center for textiles, wire and machinery.
Worcester at a glance
- $13.28Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,446Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 60-75 minDrive to Boston
- WorcesterCounty
Worcester's villages and zip codes
Worcester uses multiple ZIP codes by neighborhood, generally in the 01601-01610 and 01613-01615 range, plus separate codes for PO boxes.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown / City Hall area | 01608 | Along Main Street, where City Hall, Mechanics Hall and Worcester Common are located. |
| Shrewsbury Street | 01604 | A commercial corridor on the city's east side known locally as Restaurant Row, running from Kelley Square toward Shrewsbury. |
| Main South | 01610 | The area around Main Street south of downtown, near Clark University. |
| Quinsigamond Village | 01604 | A neighborhood on the city's south side along the Blackstone River. |
Things to do in Worcester, MA
Start with Worcester Art Museum and Elm Park, then 3 more below.
Worcester Art Museum
An encyclopedic art museum with collections spanning ancient to contemporary work, including arms and armor and a reassembled medieval chapter house.
55 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA
Elm Park
A city park designed in part by Frederick Law Olmsted, first improved in 1854, with ponds, footbridges and walking paths.
Park Ave, Worcester, MA
Green Hill Park
A roughly 549-acre municipal park with trails, sports fields, a public golf course and views over the city.
Skyline Dr, Worcester, MA
The Hanover Theatre
A restored early-20th-century theater in downtown Worcester hosting touring Broadway shows, concerts and comedy.
2 Southbridge St, Worcester, MA
Mechanics Hall
An 1857 concert hall in downtown Worcester still used for classical, folk and popular performances.
321 Main St, Worcester, MA
More worth a visit
- American Antiquarian SocietyA research library and museum of early American printed materials, with public exhibits.
- EcoTariumA science and nature museum with an indoor planetarium and outdoor trails.
- Worcester CommonThe city's original central common, laid out in 1669, used for public events and an outdoor ice rink in winter.
Around the calendar
- SeptemberTaste of Shrewsbury StreetAn annual street festival that closes Shrewsbury Street for food from area restaurants and live music.
A little history
Worcester was first settled by colonists in 1673, abandoned during conflict, and permanently resettled in 1713 by Jonas Rice; it was incorporated as a town in 1722 and chartered as a city in 1848.
The Blackstone Canal opened through Worcester in 1828 and the railroad arrived in 1835, turning the town into a manufacturing center for textiles, wire, machinery and shoes through the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Boulevard Diner on Shrewsbury Street, built in 1936 by the Worcester Lunch Car Company, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the city's best-preserved 1930s diners.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Worcester
Worcester's park system includes Olmsted-designed Elm Park and the larger Green Hill Park, along with Lake Quinsigamond on the city's eastern edge.
- Elm ParkHistoric city park with ponds, bridges and walking paths, first improved in 1854.
- Green Hill ParkA roughly 549-acre park with trails, athletic fields and a municipal golf course.
- Lake QuinsigamondA long lake on Worcester's eastern border with Shrewsbury, used for rowing, boating and a state park with a swimming beach.
Where to eat in Worcester: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Worcester to try, including diner and seafood restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Boulevard Diner
Diner
A 1936 barrel-roof diner built by the Worcester Lunch Car Company, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serving breakfast and diner fare on Shrewsbury Street.
155 Shrewsbury St, Worcester, MA 01604
The Sole Proprietor
Seafood restaurant
A seafood restaurant open since 1979 near Clark University, serving raw bar, sushi and fresh fish.
118 Highland St, Worcester, MA 01609 · thesole.com
111 Chop House
Steakhouse
A steakhouse on Shrewsbury Street that has operated for more than two decades.
111 Shrewsbury St, Worcester, MA 01604 · 111chophouse.com
Walkability and getting around Worcester
Downtown Worcester and neighborhoods like Shrewsbury Street and Main South have sidewalks and a denser street grid for walking between shops and restaurants, but most of the city's residential neighborhoods and its outlying parks are built around driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 40 miles60-75 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 4 miles10-15 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) operates local bus routes throughout the city and has been fare-free since March 2020. Union Station downtown is the western terminus of the MBTA Commuter Rail Framingham/Worcester Line to Boston South Station, and is also served by Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, plus Peter Pan and Greyhound intercity buses.
Worcester property taxes
Worcester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $29.06. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,328 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,446, on an average assessed value of $410,086.
Worcester's FY2026 tax rates
$13.28per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.28 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$29.06 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$410,086
- Average single-family tax bill$5,446
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $15.21 |
| FY2023 | $14.34 |
| FY2024 | $13.75 |
| FY2025 | $13.19 |
| FY2026 | $13.28 |
Look up a Worcester property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Worcester
What we check on a Worcester purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, older housing stock, river flood zone.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Worcester County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Blackstone River runs through the center of Worcester, and Mill Brook and other tributaries put some low-lying parcels near the river and its brooks in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WorcesterSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Worcester Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-799-1821 to schedule.
Worcester Fire Department pageSmoke and CO certificate before closing
Massachusetts requires a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale closes. Worcester's Fire Department handles these inspections for the city's largely older, multi-family and single-family housing stock.
Check FEMA flood maps near the Blackstone River
Parts of Worcester near the Blackstone River and its brooks fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Worcester?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Worcester address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Worcester: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Worcester: National Grid (Massachusetts Electric Company) for power.
- ElectricNational Grid (Massachusetts Electric Company)
- Natural gasNational Grid
- WaterWorcester Department of Public Works & Parks (municipal water)
- Sewer or septicCity sewer serves most of Worcester's developed neighborhoods.
- Trash and recyclingWorcester uses a pay-as-you-throw system: residents buy yellow trash bags for household waste, with curbside collection on a scheduled day between 6 and 7:30 a.m.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Residential Drop-Off Center
20 East Worcester Street, Worcester, MA 01604 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
City Hall offices and contacts
Worcester City Hall is at 455 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608. Hours: Monday 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.. Main line: 508-799-1121.
- City HallMain line and website508-799-1121
- City ClerkVital records, business certificates and dog licenses.508-799-1121
- AssessorProperty values, assessments and property records.
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Inspectional ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning & Regulatory ServicesZoning ordinance, zoning map and planning boards.
- Parks, Recreation & CemeteryCity parks, playgrounds and recreation programs.
- Department of Public Works & ParksTrash, recycling, water, sewer and streets.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, inspections and smoke/CO certificates.508-799-1821
- Division of Public HealthPublic health and housing/health inspections.508-799-8531
- Worcester Public LibraryThe city's public library system.
- Worcester Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Worcester, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Worcester, MA?
Worcester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $29.06. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Worcester?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,312 a year at $13.28 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Worcester have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $13.28 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $29.06.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Worcester?
The average single-family tax bill in Worcester was $5,446 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $410,086.
What county is Worcester, MA in?
Worcester is the county seat of Worcester County.
Is WRTA bus service free in Worcester?
Yes. The Worcester Regional Transit Authority has offered fare-free bus service since March 2020.
Is there train service from Worcester?
Union Station downtown is the western terminus of the MBTA Commuter Rail Framingham/Worcester Line to Boston, and is also served by Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited.
Who supplies electricity in Worcester?
National Grid (Massachusetts Electric Company) delivers electricity in Worcester.
Is Worcester trash pickup pay-as-you-throw?
Yes. Worcester uses a pay-as-you-throw yellow bag program with curbside collection, plus a Residential Drop-Off Center for bulk and yard waste.
How far is Worcester from Boston?
Worcester is about 40 miles west of Boston, roughly a 60-75 minute drive depending on traffic.
Towns near Worcester
Neighbors of Worcester, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Worcester, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Worcester official website: worcesterma.gov
- City Clerk - City of Worcester: worcesterma.gov
- Trash & Recycling - City of Worcester: worcesterma.gov
- Worcester Regional Transit Authority - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Union Station (Worcester, Massachusetts) - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Boulevard Diner - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- The Sole Proprietor official website: thesole.com
- 111 Chop House official website: 111chophouse.com
- Board of Health - City of Worcester: worcesterma.gov
- Fire Department - City of Worcester: worcesterma.gov
- Worcester skyline photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.