Performance
Score Breakdown
Rexburg
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
39% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rexburg's average rent is
27% lower than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Rexburg | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,044 | $1,425 | -27% |
| Groceries | $262 | $442 | -41% |
| Utilities | $180 | $323 | -44% |
| Transport | $150 | $899 | -83% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,886 | $3,089 | -39% |
| Cost Index | 116 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schenectady delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rexburg is estimated at
$55,000 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Rexburg | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,531 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,078 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $50,617 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rexburg | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Schenectady.
Schenectady scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schenectady leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rexburg | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Schenectady is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rexburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rexburg | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,466 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.32% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 21.0 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rexburg
Advantages
Low crime rates contribute to a high safety score and a family-friendly environment.
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing and daily expenses, compared to national averages.
Strong sense of community and family-oriented atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of BYU-Idaho.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with proximity to national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Short average commute times, making daily travel more efficient.
Drawbacks
Limited nightlife and entertainment options, characteristic of a smaller, quieter town.
Harsh winters with significant snowfall and cold temperatures impact daily activities.
Housing market can be competitive, with desirable properties selling quickly.
Car dependency is high due to limited public transit options.
The median age is very low (21), indicating a strong student population which may influence the city's overall social dynamic.
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rexburg
#28Idaho, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,044
Avg Salary
$39,531
Cost Index
116
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
68
Schenectady
#71New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
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