Jersey City NJ 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 28,542 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 42.3 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 6.8% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 21.4% | 3.1% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 3.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 4.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 38.6% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 19.2% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.9% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 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, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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