Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Utica
9.7%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 51,054 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 9.7% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 2.0% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 4.3% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.8% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $57,688 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $35,780 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 9.4% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 23.8% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 36.8% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 36.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Utica
15.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 39.6% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.1% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 11.1% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 18.7% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Irvine, CA vs New York, NYIrvine, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irvine, CAHouston, TX vs Irvine, CAIrvine, CA vs Phoenix, AZIrvine, CA vs Philadelphia, PA