Utica NY vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Utica
16.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.6 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 64.8% | 48.7% | Utica + |
| Black | 16.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $57,673 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $35,074 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $419,326 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Utica +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.5% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Utica, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 23.2 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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