Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Utica
9.7%
White
Newark
16.5%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 51,054 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 9.7% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 46.7% | 16.9% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 9.8% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Utica
9.4%
Utica +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 9.4% | Utica + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Utica
1736
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.6% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.7% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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