Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 28,542 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 42.3 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 6.8% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 28.1% | 3.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 4.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $321,835 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 26.2 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA