Schenectady 78 Exceptional
Schenectady Livability #167 ranked city in New York#2,597 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

What's it like Living in Schenectady?

Located in the state of New York, Schenectady is a moderately-sized city with a population of 66,726 residents. In Schenectady, there are 6,183 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. In Schenectady, only 40% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Schenectady could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New York if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Schenectady, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, education, employment and more.

With a livability score of 77/100, Schenectady is ranked #2,612 in the United States and #160 in New York. This is a terrific score, as Schenectady ranks well in multiple categories! Schenectady is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Schenectady ranks very well for amenities (B-), cost of living (B+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Schenectady scores poorly for, including: crime (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

If you're considering living in Schenectady, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Schenectady provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Schenectady are: Proctor's Theater, Schenectady Civic Players, and Central Park Rose Garden.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Schenectady excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Schenectady real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Schenectady. Median real estate prices in Schenectady come in at $199,646, which is 60.3% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Schenectady, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 50% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Schenectady

See all the best places to live around Schenectady

How Do You Rate The Livability In Schenectady?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Schenectady, NY Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Schenectady transportation information

      Statistic Schenectady New York National
      Average one way commute22min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.0%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.1%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit7.6%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk6.0%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home4.2%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Schenectady, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.