CICostIndexUSA

San Diego, CA vs Utica, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$3,000/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Utica
92.7
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Utica is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 17.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Diego, you would need $66,300 in Utica. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing63.1%
San Diego
179.3
Utica
66.1
🛒 Groceries7.7%
San Diego
108
Utica
99.7
🚗 Transportation1.9%
San Diego
104.6
Utica
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
San Diego
94.6
Utica
92.9
Utilities24.3%
San Diego
174.2
Utica
131.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in San Diego to see what you'd need to earn in Utica to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Utica, NY
$66,300
$13,700 less needed in Utica

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 111.9) = salary × 0.8284. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$934,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,000
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.9×

Utica, NY

Median Home Price
$234,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
66.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.7×

San Diego has 63.1% lower housing costs compared to Utica.

Income & Job Market

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$109,100
Per Capita Income
$62,200
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

Utica, NY

Median Household Income
$71,600
Per Capita Income
$40,800
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
60,651
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducationRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Utica, NY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.