Schenectady NY vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 86.7% | 58.0% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $67,544 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $35,825 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 6.4% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 19.8% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 34.1% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $435,532 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 42.4% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.9% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 27.3 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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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