Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 51,054 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 25.0% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 62.9% | 16.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 9.8% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 9.4% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 23.8% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $205,924 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 36.8% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Utica
18.7%
Utica +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.7% | Utica + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, 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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