Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Schenectady
28,542
Schenectady +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Schenectady
42.3
Schenectady +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 28,542 | Schenectady + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.3 | Schenectady + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 6.8% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 0.7% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 4.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
2.3%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $100,485 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 2.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 10.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 57.5% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 38.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.9% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA