Schenectady NY vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Sparks
N/A
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 86.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,696 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $530,668 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 460 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2417 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.8% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.7% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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