Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 28,542 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 42.3 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 6.8% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 42.0% | 3.1% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 4.7% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Schenectady
12.3%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 38.6% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.3% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 26.2 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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