Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Charleston +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Schenectady
42.3
Schenectady +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 28,542 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 42.3 | Schenectady + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 76.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 11.8% | 3.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $321,835 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 57.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 26.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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