Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 28,542 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.8% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 62.9% | 3.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 4.7% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $321,835 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 26.2 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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