Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 28,542 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.3 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 6.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 38.6% | 3.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 4.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $321,835 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 434 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1736 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.2% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.2 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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