Tucson AZ 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Utica
9.7%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 51,054 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 9.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 5.0% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 9.8% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 9.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 23.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 36.8% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.6% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.1% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.4% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.7% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
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 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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