Schenectady NY vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 86.7% | 61.8% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 4.2% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $871,599 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 44.3% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.0% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 28.8 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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