Median rent is 6% lower in Schenectady ($1,145/mo vs $1,216/mo). Buying is cheaper in Schenectady, where the median home runs $168,800 versus $234,700. Households earn more in Albany ($61,986 vs $58,399 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (98.2).
City A
Albany, NY
City B
Schenectady, NY
How much would you need to earn in Schenectady, NY to maintain your standard of living from Albany, NY?
Equivalent salary in Schenectady, NY
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Albany
New York
Schenectady
New York
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Schenectady at $1,145/mo compared to $1,216/mo in Albany (6% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Albany: the median home is $234,700 versus $168,800 in Schenectady — 28% more expensive.
Metric
Albany
Schenectady
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Albany
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Schenectady
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Albany if you prioritize higher median household income ($61,986/yr).
Albany is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.2 versus 98.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Albany.
Median rent is $1,216/mo in Albany, NY and $1,145/mo in Schenectady, NY. Schenectady, NY has the lower rent by about 6%.
Median household income is $61,986 in Albany, NY and $58,399 in Schenectady, NY. Albany, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Albany, NY is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Schenectady, NY (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
