Utica NY vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Utica
16.9%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.4 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 9.1% | Utica + |
| White | 64.8% | 61.6% | Utica + |
| Black | 16.9% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 8.9% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $427,121 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.6% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Utica +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Utica, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 25.0 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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