Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 51,054 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 85.2% | 64.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 9.4% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 23.8% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 36.8% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | 22.7 min | Springfield + |
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, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Springfield, MOLos Angeles, CA vs Springfield, MOChicago, IL vs Springfield, MOHouston, TX vs Springfield, MOPhoenix, AZ vs Springfield, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs Springfield, MO