Schenectady NY vs Springfield MO — 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, MO

Missouri · Population: 169,432

  • Median HH Income$45,984
  • Median Home Price$245,279
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+30.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Schenectady
28,542
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Springfield
85.2%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Springfield
30.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Springfield
42.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Springfield
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
Springfield
17.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Springfield
45.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
Springfield
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Springfield
19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. 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, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Schenectady & Springfield