Utica NY vs Vallejo CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Vallejo
68,141
Vallejo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 68,141 | Vallejo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 42.1 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 64.8% | 17.9% | Utica + |
| Black | 16.9% | 5.3% | Utica + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Vallejo
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $523,551 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Utica +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Utica +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Utica, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 36.0 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Utica, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Utica, NYChicago, IL vs Utica, NYHouston, TX vs Utica, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Utica, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Utica, NY