Palmdale 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Palmdale +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Schenectady
42.3
Schenectady +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 28,542 | Palmdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 42.3 | Schenectady + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 6.8% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 5.4% | 3.1% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.0% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 4.7% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Schenectady
$62,931
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $62,931 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 57.5% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 38.6% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.2% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.9% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.2 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 Palmdale. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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