Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 28,542 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 42.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 6.8% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 12.1% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 38.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.2% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | 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
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 26.2 min | Columbia + |
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, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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