Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Portland
70.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 28,542 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 42.3 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 6.8% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 5.8% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.0% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 4.7% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 38.6% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.2% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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