Schenectady NY vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Wilmington
71,124
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 71,124 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 86.7% | 32.4% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $55,269 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $38,786 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $64,087 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 7.6% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 23.2% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 33.1% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $327,117 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 46.0% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1991 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 41.0% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.0% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. 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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