Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Schenectady
42.3
Schenectady +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 28,542 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.3 | Schenectady + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 6.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 28.8% | 3.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 4.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 38.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 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, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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