Schenectady NY vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Springfield
40.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 40.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 4.5% | Schenectady + |
| White | 86.7% | 70.5% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.9% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 3.4% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $65,537 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $41,110 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 6.7% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 16.5% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 35.1% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 41.1% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.9% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.7% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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