Schenectady NY vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 86.7% | 78.9% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 2.4% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $78,429 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $37,315 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 6.2% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 10.6% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 31.2% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 27.5 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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