Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Utica
9.7%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 51,054 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.7% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 64.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 9.8% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $57,688 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $35,780 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 9.4% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 23.8% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 36.8% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.1% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.7% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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