Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 51,054 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 11.7% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 76.8% | 16.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Utica
9.4%
Utica +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 9.4% | Utica + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $205,924 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 36.8% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Utica
1736
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Utica
18.7%
Utica +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 18.7% | Utica + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Utica has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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