Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 28,542 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 42.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 36.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 46.8% | 3.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 4.7% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $321,835 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.2 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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