Plano 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Plano
53.2%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 28,542 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 42.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 6.8% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 9.0% | 3.1% | Plano + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 3.0% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 4.7% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Schenectady
58.8%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $100,485 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 58.8% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 38.6% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.3% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 19.2% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.9% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Plano, 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.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. 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, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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