Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 28,542 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 42.3 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 6.8% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 18.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 3.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 4.7% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $100,485 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 10.3% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $321,835 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 57.5% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
39.1%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.2% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
36.1 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. 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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