Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Utica
9.7%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 51,054 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 9.7% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 36.1% | 16.9% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 9.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Utica
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Utica
9.4%
Utica +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 9.4% | Utica + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $205,924 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Utica
1736
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.2% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Utica has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA