Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 28,542 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.3 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 11.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 76.8% | 3.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 4.7% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $321,835 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA