Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Renton
48.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 28,542 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.3 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 2.2% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 3.0% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 4.7% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Schenectady
$62,931
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Schenectady
58.8%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $100,485 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $62,931 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 10.3% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 58.8% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 38.6% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.3% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.7% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 16.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 26.2 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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