City Comparison
Hempstead vs Schenectady
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hempstead scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hempstead
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Schenectady is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Hempstead.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hempstead's average rent is
54% higher than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Hempstead | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,425 | +54% |
| Groceries | $480 | $442 | +9% |
| Utilities | $210 | $323 | -35% |
| Transport | $150 | $899 | -83% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $3,089 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hempstead offers 41% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hempstead delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hempstead is estimated at
$72,000 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Hempstead | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,778 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $125,000 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hempstead runs warmer on average — a 54°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hempstead comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hempstead sees 18.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hempstead | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schenectady has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Hempstead.
Hempstead 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 | Hempstead | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hempstead is the larger city
— approximately 11.5x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hempstead has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hempstead | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 793,409 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hempstead
Advantages
Proximity to New York City via the Long Island Rail Road provides excellent commuter access.
Diverse and vibrant local community with rich cultural events and dining.
Abundant parks, recreational facilities, and proximity to Long Island's South Shore beaches.
Strong local employment sectors in education, healthcare, and professional services.
Presence of higher education institutions like Hofstra University enriching the local intellectual climate.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. national average.
High property taxes across Nassau County impacting homeowners.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major local parkways and roadways.
Competitive housing market with high demand limiting affordable options.
Higher than average utility and everyday consumer goods costs.
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.
Hempstead
#510New York, USA
52.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
73
Business
68
Schenectady
#606New York, USA
33.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
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