Odessa TX 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)
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 28,542 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 42.3 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 6.8% | 3.1% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 4.7% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $321,835 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 57.5% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.2% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.2 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. 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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