Ontario CA 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 28,542 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 42.3 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 6.8% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.0% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $100,485 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 10.3% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.5% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 38.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.2% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.9% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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