Schenectady NY vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 86.7% | 36.5% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Visalia
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $70,663 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $26,955 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 11.6% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 20.0% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 12.4% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $397,983 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.0% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 41.6 min | Schenectady + |
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 503 in Visalia. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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