San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 28,542 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 42.3 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 6.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 5.7% | 3.1% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 3.0% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 4.7% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $100,485 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | San Diego, 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 Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 38.6% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.3% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.2% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.7% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 26.2 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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