Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 28,542 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 39.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 46.7% | 3.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 4.7% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $321,835 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.2% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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