Salinas 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)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
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
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 28,542 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.3 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 6.8% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.0% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salinas, 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
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 38.6% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 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 Salinas. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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