Utica NY vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Utica
51,054
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Utica
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Utica
9.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Utica
4.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Utica
9.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Utica
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,054 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.1 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 64.8% | 58.0% | Utica + |
| Black | 16.9% | 12.1% | Utica + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Utica
$57,688
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Utica
$35,780
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Utica
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Utica
9.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Utica
23.8%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,688 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,780 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 34.1% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Utica
36.8%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,924 | $435,532 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.8% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Utica
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
39.6%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Utica
14.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Utica
11.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Utica
18.7%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.9% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Utica
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Utica
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Utica, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.3 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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