Schenectady NY vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 86.7% | 54.0% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $51,468 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $28,819 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 4.4% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 24.0% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 28.6% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 48.9% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.0% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.4% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 20.4% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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