Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Utica
33.0
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Utica
9.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 51,054 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.0 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 9.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 6.7% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 4.3% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 9.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Fresno +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $57,688 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 9.4% | Fresno + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 23.8% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 36.8% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 39.6% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.7% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Fresno has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA