Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Utica
9.7%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 51,054 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 9.7% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 39.9% | 16.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 9.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $57,688 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $35,780 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 9.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 36.8% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Utica
1736
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX