Utica NY vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Utica
64.8%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 64.8% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 16.9% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 30.9% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Utica +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Utica +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.4% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | 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
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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