Holden vs Worcester
You are paying about $150k more for a 4BR in Holden, and in exchange you get the stronger schools. That is the trade in plain terms: $150k for one tier of schooling.
On tax, look past the rate: Worcester works out roughly $2,100 a year cheaper on its own median 4BR.
Choose Holden if you want the stronger schools of the two.
All Holden numbers →Choose Worcester if you want the lower price, or the commute matters most, or you want a train.
All Worcester numbers →Side by side
The better of the two is highlighted on each row. Where a row is not highlighted, the two are close enough that calling a winner would be false precision.
| Holden | Worcester | |
|---|---|---|
| School tier | solid schoolsT3 | mixed schoolsT4 |
| MCAS percentile | 76th | 16th |
| Niche district rank | 76th of 236 | — |
| 4BR house | $700kT2 | $550kT1 |
| 2BR condo | $400k | $315k |
| Commute to Boston | 79 minT4 | 77 minT4 |
| MBTA rail | No MBTA rail | Commuter rail · ~84 min to terminal |
| Tax rate | $13.48T3 | $13.28T3 |
| Est. tax bill on that 4BR | ≈$9,400 | ≈$7,300 |
| 3BR rent | $2,663/mo | $2,510/mo |
Prices are estimates calibrated to the Zillow Home Value Index and Redfin; tax rates are FY2026 residential rates and the bill applies that rate to the town’s own median 4BR estimate; commutes take the rail leg from the MBTA timetable and still model the drive; rents are HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents. School tiers are editorial and shown next to the state’s own MCAS figures. Data last reviewed — see the methodology. This comparison never uses demographics as an input.
