Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Flint
34.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 28,542 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.3 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 34.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 56.6% | 3.1% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $321,835 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Flint, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 26.2 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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%.
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