Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 28,542 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 42.3 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 6.8% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 37.5% | 3.1% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.0% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 4.7% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Schenectady
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $321,835 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Schenectady
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Schenectady
1736
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 38.6% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.9% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.2 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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