Performance
Score Breakdown
Schenectady
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% higher compared to Schenectady.
| Metric | Schenectady | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,425 | $1,412 | +1% |
| Groceries | $442 | $450 | -2% |
| Utilities | $323 | $281 | +15% |
| Transport | $899 | $126 | +613% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $135 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,089 | $2,404 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Schenectady is estimated at
$70,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Schenectady | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,374 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,933 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $58,399 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Schenectady | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schenectady has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Schenectady | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Schenectady | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,847 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| 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].
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Schenectady
#62New 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
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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