Schenectady NY vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 86.7% | 60.1% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $77,643 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $42,371 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 5.7% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 16.2% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 49.5% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $468,328 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 41.6% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.3% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 450 in Tempe. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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