Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 28,542 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 6.8% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 6.7% | 3.1% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 4.7% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 38.6% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.2% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.9% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.2 min | Fresno + |
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, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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