Schenectady NY vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 86.7% | 70.1% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.7% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $58,568 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $31,987 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 3.5% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 17.4% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 25.0% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 57.0% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.6% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.8% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. 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, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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