Schenectady, New York has an overall cost of living index of 98.2, which is 1.8 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,145 per month, while the typical home is valued around $168,800. Households earn a median of $58,399 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$58,399
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,145
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$168,800
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
98.2
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,217
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,417
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,702
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,041
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
98.2
Goods
97.4
Rents / Housing
92.8
Services
131.8
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $121,300 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $96,980 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $76,640 |
| ⚡Electrician | $74,820 |
| 📊Accountant | $94,180 |
| 🔧Plumber | $83,100 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $269,020 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $111,320 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $136,420 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $77,640 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $134,860 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $62,630 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
68,847
Latest estimate
Median Age
36.1 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
48
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,234
Per month
Avg Home Value
$217,440
Census ACS
January Avg
24°F
July Avg
73°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.6
poor
Hospitals
2
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
95.1%
What is the cost of living index for Schenectady?
Schenectady has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 98.2. The US national average is 100, so Schenectady is 1.8 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Schenectady?
The median gross rent in Schenectady is $1,145 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Schenectady?
The median household income in Schenectady is $58,399 per year.
What is the median home value in Schenectady?
The median home value in Schenectady is $168,800 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Schenectady?
Air quality data for Schenectady is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in Schenectady?
Tax data for New York is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
