Anchorage AK vs Schenectady NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 28,542 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 42.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 6.8% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 5.3% | 3.1% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.7% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 10.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 57.5% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 38.6% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.2% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.9% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.2 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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