Schenectady NY vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 86.7% | 30.4% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.5% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 4.1% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $2,144,024 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 43.8% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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