Springfield MA 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)

Springfield, MA

Massachusetts · Population: 154,751

  • Median HH Income$51,339
  • Median Home Price$298,985
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+19.7%

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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
Utica
9.7%
White
Springfield
40.8%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Utica
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Utica
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Utica
36.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Utica
1736

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Utica
39.6%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
Utica
18.7%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Utica
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Utica
22.7 min

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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.

Compare More Cities

About Springfield & Utica