City comparison
Rochester, NY vs Utica, NY
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Rochester, NY are 4.7% higher than in Utica, NY. Someone earning $100,000 in Utica, NY would need about $104,700 in Rochester, NY to live the same way.
- Rent is the bigger story: a typical 1-bedroom costs $1,256 a month in Rochester, NY versus $926 in Utica, NY. On $100,000, that's 20% of take-home pay in Rochester, NY and 15% in Utica, NY.
- Both are in NY, so estimated state income tax is the same: $4,860 a year on $100,000.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −0.7% moving from Rochester, NY to Utica, NY ($107,182 → $106,437), while prices change by −4.5%. Net effect of the transfer: +4.0% in real buying power.
- Rochester, NY: price level 97.0 (cheaper)
- Utica, NY: price level 92.7 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Rochester, NY | Utica, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 97.0 | 92.7 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $95,510 in Utica | $104,701 in Rochester |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,256/mo | $926/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $74,320 | $74,320 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $4,860 (NY) | $4,860 (NY) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 20% | 15% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $51,210 | $48,970 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Rochester, NY MSA and Utica-Rome, NY MSA. Metro areas: Rochester, NY and Utica-Rome, NY.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Rochester | Utica |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 87.5 | 66.1 |
| Goods | 99.7 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 133.2 | 131.9 |
| Other services | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| Overall | 97.0 | 92.7 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Rochester, NY → Utica, NY
Same pay goes further
Buying power +4.7%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
83 Strong offer
Utica, NY → Rochester, NY
Same pay buys less
Buying power −4.5%; rent takes 20% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
55 Fair offer
On the GS pay scale?
Rochester, NY is in the Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY pay area; Utica, NY is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Rochester, NY to Utica, NY at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Rochester, NY | Utica, NY | Real change, Rochester → Utica |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $62,155 | $61,722 | +4.0% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $75,202 | $74,678 | +4.0% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $90,135 | $89,508 | +4.0% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $107,182 | $106,437 | +4.0% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $126,657 | $125,776 | +4.0% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Rochester, NY | Utica, NY | Utica pay in Rochester dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,840 | $77,010 | $80,630 (+28.3%) |
| Software Developers | $122,770 | $113,390 | $118,721 (−3.3%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,890 | $79,830 | $83,583 (+3.3%) |
| Registered Nurses | $86,570 | $94,300 | $98,733 (+14.1%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.