Utica NY vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Utica
16.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.9 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 64.8% | 39.1% | Utica + |
| Black | 16.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.1% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $580,173 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Utica +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 24.0% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Utica, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 32.8 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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