Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Durham
44.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 28,542 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 42.3 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 6.8% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 34.4% | 3.1% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.0% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 38.6% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.3% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.2 min | Durham + |
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, Durham 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, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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