B
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
15%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
37%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Utica New York National
Cost of living95117100
Goods & Services115108100
Groceries99102100
Health care103103100
Housing63145100
Transportation109105100
Utilities107100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Utica, NY

Knowing the cost of living in Utica allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Utica stands at 95, marking it 5% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Utica closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Utica can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Utica, these items will cost you 15% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Utica?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 5 residents in Utica to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 60% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 40% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Utica Affordable?

Is Utica affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Utica, for instance, where the median home price falls 44.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 21% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Utica flaunting a median household income of $42,624, 23% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Utica?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Utica, healthcare costs are 3.4% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Utica, the utilities index stands at 7.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Utica cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Utica is 18% lower than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Utica is 5% lower than the national average
  • Utica housing is 37% lower than the national average
  • New York general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • New York state income tax is 77% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Utica

See all the best places to live around Utica

Compare Utica, NY Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$60,393$5,033$1,409$1,812
      Renters$25,516$2,126$595$766
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Utica, NY, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Utica have a median income of $60,393. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,409 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $25,516, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $595.

      New York Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New York 4% 8.875%

      New York Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New York 4% 10.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Utica National avg. Difference
      Haircut $15.89$24.2634.5%
      Beauty Salon $39.00$45.5614.4%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.700.8%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.9%
      Movie $11.17$12.137.9%
      Bowling $14.33$18.0020.4%

      Groceries

      Item Utica National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.84$5.840.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.51$1.574.0%
      Milk $4.80$4.672.8%
      Potatoes $5.11$4.933.5%
      Pizza $12.75$12.095.5%
      Beer $10.36$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Utica National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $111.00$125.6811.7%
      Doctor $143.15$135.785.4%
      Dentist $118.67$113.294.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.40$10.652.4%
      Lipitor $509.11$468.608.6%

      Housing

      Item Utica National avg. Difference
      Home Price $102,400.00$184,700.0044.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,404.03$2,346.6940.2%
      Apartment Rent $750.00$949.0021.0%

      Transportation

      Item Utica National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.64$3.465.1%
      Tire Balancing $70.72$59.9218.0%

      Utilities

      Item Utica National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $215.23$193.9910.9%
      Phone $194.79$192.251.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Westmoreland, NY4931099.5%
      Mohawk, NY2,575928.3%
      Ilion, NY7,766928.2%
      Middleville, NY767936.9%
      Herkimer, NY6,912936.9%
      Utica, NY59,984954.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ocala, FL60,021928.1%
      Bristol, CT60,0391087.9%
      Taylorsville, UT59,92611312.8%
      West Allis, WI59,861964.4%
      Cupertino, CA59,799325225.2%
      Utica, NY59,984954.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.