Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 28,542 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 42.3 | Elk Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 6.8% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 10.9% | 3.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 3.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 4.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $100,485 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 10.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 57.5% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 38.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.2% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 16.9% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 Elk Grove. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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