Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 28,542 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 42.3 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 6.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 60.0% | 3.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.7% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $321,835 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 434 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1736 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 38.6% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.2% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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