Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 51,054 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 81.0% | 64.8% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $57,688 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $35,780 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.4% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 23.8% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 36.8% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 39.6% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.1% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.4% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 18.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 22.7 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Spokane, WALos Angeles, CA vs Spokane, WAChicago, IL vs Spokane, WAHouston, TX vs Spokane, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Spokane, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Spokane, WA