Utica NY vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Utica
16.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 64.8% | 54.0% | Utica + |
| Black | 16.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.0% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $51,468 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $28,819 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 24.0% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 28.6% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Utica +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Utica +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 20.4% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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