Performance
Score Breakdown
Schenectady
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% higher compared to Schenectady.
| Metric | Schenectady | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,425 | $1,410 | +1% |
| Groceries | $442 | $493 | -10% |
| Utilities | $323 | $178 | +81% |
| Transport | $899 | $120 | +649% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,089 | $2,451 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Schenectady is estimated at
$70,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Schenectady | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,374 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,933 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $58,399 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Schenectady | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Schenectady | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Schenectady | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,847 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $11.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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].
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Schenectady
#56New 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
Cincinnati
#56Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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