Downey CA 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Downey
21.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 28,542 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.3 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 6.8% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 0.4% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 4.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 38.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.3% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.2% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
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 503 in Downey. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
Compare More Cities
Downey, CA vs New York, NYDowney, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Downey, CADowney, CA vs Houston, TXDowney, CA vs Phoenix, AZDowney, CA vs Philadelphia, PA