El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 28,542 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 42.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 6.8% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.6% | 3.1% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 4.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $321,835 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 57.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.6% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.2 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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