Columbia SC 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
138,019
Columbia +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 28,542 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 42.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 49.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 39.5% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.7% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $321,835 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Schenectady
19.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 38.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°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
8.6 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 26.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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