Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Boise
83.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Boise
1.4%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 28,542 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.3 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.8% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.0% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 4.7% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 57.5% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 434 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1736 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.2 min | Boise + |
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, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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