Schenectady NY vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
West Palm Beach
40.2
West Palm Beach +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 40.2 | West Palm Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 86.7% | 44.0% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.5% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $69,261 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $44,508 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 5.4% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 14.8% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 37.6% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $399,650 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 50.2% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.7% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
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, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Schenectady, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Schenectady, NYChicago, IL vs Schenectady, NYHouston, TX vs Schenectady, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Schenectady, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Schenectady, NY