Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 28,542 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.3 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 23.7% | 3.1% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 4.7% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $321,835 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 57.5% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 434 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1736 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | 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
Louisville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 26.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 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).
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