Schenectady NY vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.1% | Schenectady + |
| White | 86.7% | 85.1% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.4% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.7% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 7.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $70,722 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $35,235 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 5.9% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 12.9% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 24.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $414,734 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Spokane Valley 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 Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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