Brownsville TX 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 28,542 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 42.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 6.8% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 0.3% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 4.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $321,835 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 57.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.9% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. 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, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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