Auburn, NY vs Utica, NY

Auburn, NY and Utica, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 72 while Utica scores 71 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $867/month compared to $907/month in Utica — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Utica actually has lower median home values ($133,400 vs $143,600).

Median household income in Auburn is $49,377 compared to $51,513 in Utica (-4.1%). Utica offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 21.1% of their income on rent, less than the 21.1% in Utica.