Sacramento CA 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 28,542 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.3 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.8% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 12.4% | 3.1% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.0% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 4.7% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 38.6% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.3% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.2% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 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, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sacramento, CALos Angeles, CA vs Sacramento, CAChicago, IL vs Sacramento, CAHouston, TX vs Sacramento, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Sacramento, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Sacramento, CA