Schenectady NY vs Scottsdale AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
81.8%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 49.2 | Schenectady + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 86.7% | 81.8% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.0% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 3.4% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $858,307 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.4% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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