Schenectady NY vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 86.7% | 54.1% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.7% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $52,512 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $29,511 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 6.0% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 22.6% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 29.4% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 39.7% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.3% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.6% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.2% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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