Utica NY vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Utica
64.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Utica
16.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 64.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $280,921 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Waterbury
14.1%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 40.5% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.1% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.5% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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