Performance
Score Breakdown
Memphis
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
32% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Memphis's average rent is
15% lower than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Memphis | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $1,425 | -15% |
| Groceries | $400 | $442 | -10% |
| Utilities | $250 | $323 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $899 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,100 | $3,089 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schenectady delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Memphis is estimated at
$70,000 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Memphis | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $51,736 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Memphis | 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 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 | Memphis | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 19.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Memphis is the larger city
— approximately 8.9x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Memphis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Memphis | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 609,647 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
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.
Memphis
#121Tennessee, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Memphis and Schenectady.
Open Cost Calculator