Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 28,542 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 42.3 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 51.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 38.0% | 3.1% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 4.7% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $321,835 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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