44 16 is kind of the industry standard optimal gearing ratio but it also depends on tire size as well. 43 17 is not the same though and would be way easier to crank and quicker to spin out. If you wanted to use 17 on the back and get the same result as 44 16, youd need 47(ish) on the front. 43 16 would not make too much difference.
As a general rule Ive heard you can say that 1 tooth on the back is the same as 2.5 / 3 on the front and making cogs bigger on the front gives taller (harder) gearing but making bigger cogs on the back gives easier gearing.
Hope that helps!