Utica NY vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Utica
16.9%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 64.8% | 36.5% | Utica + |
| Black | 16.9% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Visalia
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Utica +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $26,955 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 11.6% | Utica + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 12.4% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $397,983 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Utica +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Utica +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.0% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Utica, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 41.6 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Utica has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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