Schenectady NY vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.3% | Schenectady + |
| White | 86.7% | 71.0% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.8% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $55,902 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $33,290 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 4.9% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 15.6% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 29.1% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 39.7% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.1% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. 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, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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