Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Austin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Austin's average rent is
26% higher than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Austin | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,425 | +26% |
| Groceries | $450 | $442 | +2% |
| Utilities | $180 | $323 | -44% |
| Transport | $120 | $899 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $3,089 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Austin is estimated at
$122,000 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Austin | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,250 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $122,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,604 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schenectady has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Austin.
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 | Austin | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 14.7x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin boasts a robust job market with a 2.1% job growth rate in 2024, outperforming many other major U.S. metros.
The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, ranking #1 for startup growth and business density, with over 7,000 new businesses in 2024.
Austin offers a high quality of life, ranking 15th globally in 2024, supported by its vibrant culture and numerous outdoor activities.
Crime rates in Austin saw significant decreases in the first quarter of 2024, contributing to an improved safety profile.
Several Austin healthcare facilities, including St. David's HealthCare, were recognized among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals in 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Austin is higher than the national average, primarily driven by elevated housing costs for both renters and buyers.
Austin experiences significant traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in transit, indicating high car dependency.
Despite overall high healthcare quality, some Austin-area hospitals received 'C' ratings for safety and quality standards in May 2024.
The median sale price of a home in Austin was $542,000 in May 2026, making homeownership challenging for many.
While public transit exists, Austin's city-wide Walk Score of 42 and Transit Score of 35 indicate that most errands require a car.
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.
Austin
#24Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,250
Cost Index
101
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
85
Schenectady
#58New 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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