Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 28,542 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.3 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 28.4% | 3.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 4.7% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 38.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
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, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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