Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Reno
63.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 28,542 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 42.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 6.8% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.2% | 3.1% | Reno + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 3.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 4.7% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 38.6% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.3% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.2% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.9% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.2 min | Reno + |
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 460 in Reno. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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