Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 28,542 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 6.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 17.9% | 3.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 4.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $321,835 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 38.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. 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, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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