Schenectady NY vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 86.7% | 49.1% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 4.9% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 51.7% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $708,498 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 47.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 30.1 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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