Utica, NY Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Utica, NY: What You Need to Know

Utica is located at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains in central New York. It’s a little city (population: 59,750) with a big reputation as a culinary destination for such delicacies as riggies and tomato pie.

The Local Culture 

Utica boasts of the best riggies around, a creamy rigatoni pasta with chicken and sweet peppers. You’ll have a hard time finding tomato pie outside of central New York. Despite its name, it’s not a pie but more of a focaccia, a thick crust with tomato sauce, cheeses, and oregano. It’s usually cut into squares and eaten cold or at room temperature. Pair it with Utica greens (sautéed escarole, hot peppers, cheese, breadcrumbs, and prosciutto) for a satisfying meal.

Weather and Climate

In Utica, winters tend to be snowy, such as on March 14, 2017, when snowstorm Stella dumped up to three feet of snow in the area. Utica got 33 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. Barring any blizzard, the city gets 96 inches of snow per year compared with the U.S. average of 28 inches. You can expect about 160 sunny days annually versus the national average of 205 sunny days.

Things to Do in Utica

Take in some culture at Stanley Center for the Arts, a former movie palace turned into the home of the Broadway Theater League of Greater Utica, the Mohawk Valley Ballet, and the Utica Symphony Orchestra. Catch one of their performances or an off-Broadway show. The Utica Zoo and the Children's Museum are a favorite among families. The zoo has more than 200 animals on 40 acres of space. The museum provides a hands-on learning center focusing on local history, environmental science, and space science.

The Cost of Living in Utica

Utica’s cost of living is 0.6% higher than the national average, but it’s still better than most Northeastern cities. Also, food and housing costs in Utica are 24% and 16.8% lower than the national average respectively. The city’s median gross rent is $711. If you’re new to New York, brace yourself for high taxes. The state levies a progressive income tax rate of 4% to 8.82% and sales tax ranging from 4% to 8.875%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Locals praise their city’s supporting community and small-town atmosphere. Utica is the seat of Oneida County, so residents get to enjoy both the city and county farmers’ markets on a weekly basis. A little over half of all Utica residents are renters. If you’re on the hunt for a suburb with topnotch schools, check out Washington Mills and Clinton. Both are a short drive from Utica.