Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Schenectady is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
26% higher than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Houston | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,425 | +26% |
| Groceries | $682 | $442 | +54% |
| Utilities | $253 | $323 | -22% |
| Transport | $348 | $899 | -61% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $3,089 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Houston | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schenectady has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Houston.
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 | Houston | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 33.7x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Houston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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.
Houston
#62Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
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
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