Bloomington MN 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)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
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
Bloomington
71,261
Bloomington +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 28,542 | Bloomington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 42.3 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.8% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 8.6% | 3.1% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.0% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 4.7% | Bloomington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $100,485 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 10.3% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 57.5% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 434 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 38.6% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.3% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.7% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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