Syracuse NY 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)
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
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
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Utica
33.0
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Utica
9.7%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 51,054 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.0 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 27.6% | 16.9% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 4.3% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 9.8% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Utica
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 9.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 36.8% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Utica
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Utica
1736
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.1% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.7% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 22.7 min | Syracuse + |
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 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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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