Schenectady NY vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 6.6% | Schenectady + |
| White | 86.7% | 45.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $55,279 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $38,947 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 5.1% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 19.8% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 40.2% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 45.4% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.2% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.9% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | 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
Schenectady +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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