Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 28,542 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 42.3 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 6.8% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 2.1% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 3.0% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 4.7% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $100,485 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 38.6% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.2% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.9% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fullerton, CA vs New York, NYFullerton, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fullerton, CAFullerton, CA vs Houston, TXFullerton, CA vs Phoenix, AZFullerton, CA vs Philadelphia, PA