Atlanta GA vs Utica NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 51,054 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 39.9% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 46.9% | 16.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.3% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $57,688 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $35,780 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 9.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 23.8% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 36.8% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 36.8% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 39.6% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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