Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Providence
40.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 28,542 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.3 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 6.8% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 13.3% | 3.1% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.0% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 4.7% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Providence, RI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 434 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1736 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 38.6% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.9% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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