Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Salem
69.8%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 28,542 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.3 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.8% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.0% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 4.7% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.9% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 26.2 min | Salem + |
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, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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