Schenectady NY vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Yonkers
39.0
Yonkers +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 39.0 | Yonkers + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 86.7% | 38.0% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Yonkers
$81,816
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Yonkers
$42,770
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Yonkers
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $81,816 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $42,770 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 7.4% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 14.7% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 35.2% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $685,544 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 47.2% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Yonkers
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Yonkers
1736
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.4% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 37.5 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, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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