San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 28,542 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.3 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 6.8% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 11.8% | 3.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.0% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 4.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
Schenectady
15.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 38.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 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 San Bernardino. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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