Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Schenectady
42.3
Schenectady +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 28,542 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 42.3 | Schenectady + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 6.8% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 10.2% | 3.1% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.0% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 57.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 38.6% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 26.2 min | Clearwater + |
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, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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