Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 28,542 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 25.8% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $321,835 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 38.6% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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