CountyScore

Schenectady County

New York · NY

#48 in New York
55.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Schenectady County, New York

Schenectady marginally trails national median

Schenectady County's composite score of 49.3 falls just 0.7 points below the national median of 50.0, placing it near the national average. This near-baseline score masks significant internal imbalances between strong and weak dimensions.

Schenectady falls below New York average

With a score of 49.3, Schenectady ranks 5.4 points below New York's county average of 54.7, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The underperformance is driven primarily by tax burden and income constraints.

Housing costs offer genuine relief

Schenectady's cost score of 65.4 is its standout strength, with median home values of $223,100 and gross rents at just $1,159 monthly—offering rare affordability. These low housing costs provide residents with meaningful savings compared to neighboring counties.

Taxes and income growth create strain

A tax score of 33.1 and effective tax rate of 2.459% rank among the state's highest, consuming household resources aggressively. An income score of 33.6 with median household income of just $76,989 leaves limited capacity to absorb the tax burden, creating genuine financial stress.

Only viable for cost-conscious low-income households

Schenectady appeals primarily to retirees on fixed incomes and lower-wage workers for whom housing affordability outweighs elevated tax rates. It's not ideal for middle-income families seeking balanced livability or those with career growth ambitions.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax33.1Cost65.4SafetyComing SoonHealth79.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.6Risk28.7WaterComing Soon
🏛33.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Schenectady County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Baltimore city
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Median income: $59,623
Tompkins County
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55.1
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San Patricio County
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55.1
Median income: $67,512

Deep Dives

Schenectady County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Schenectady County

via TaxByCounty

Schenectady taxes rank among America's highest

Schenectady County's effective tax rate of 2.459% sits in the top 10% of U.S. counties, more than doubling the national median of 1.1%. Homeowners pay $5,486 annually on a median home valued at $223,100—a substantial rate on more modest property values.

New York's highest rate among counties profiled

At 2.459%, Schenectady County tops all eight counties in this analysis and significantly exceeds the state average of 2.046%. The county ranks among the highest-burden places in New York State.

Schenectady leads Capital Region in tax burden

Schenectady's 2.459% rate exceeds Rensselaer County (2.193%) and far outpaces Saratoga County (1.491%), making it the most tax-heavy spot in the Capital Region. Only a handful of upstate New York counties match or exceed this burden.

Median home costs $5,486 yearly in taxes

A Schenectady County homeowner with the median property value of $223,100 pays approximately $5,486 in annual property taxes, or roughly $457 monthly. Despite lower home values than Queens or Staten Island, Schenectady residents pay comparable absolute dollars.

High rates make appeal payoff even bigger

On a $5,486 annual bill, a 15% overassessment costs $822 per year—substantial savings if recovered through appeal. Schenectady homeowners should scrutinize assessments closely; the potential upside is significant.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Schenectady County

via CostByCounty

Schenectady offers modest means, modest housing costs

Schenectady residents spend 18.1% of their $76,989 median income on rent—roughly matching the national burden while earning slightly above the national median of $74,755. Monthly rents of $1,159 are below state and national norms, making Schenectady accessible for working-class families.

Schenectady slightly above state affordability norm

At 18.1%, Schenectady's rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds New York State's 17.6% average, placing it in the moderate-affordability tier. The county's median rent of $1,159 nearly matches the state average of $1,133, while median income of $76,989 trails the state's wealthier counties.

Less affordable than Saratoga and Rensselaer

Schenectady's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio trails both Saratoga County's 16.2% and Rensselaer County's 16.4%, despite similar median rents. The county's lower median income of $76,989—roughly $10,000 below neighboring Rensselaer's $86,663—accounts for the tighter housing burden.

Ownership costs climb steeply in median market

Schenectady renters pay $1,159 monthly (18.1% of income), while homeowners face $1,439 (22.4% of income) with median home values at $223,100. The 4.3 percentage-point gap suggests ownership remains attainable for those with down payments, but monthly costs strain tighter household budgets.

Budget-friendly option for cost-conscious movers

Schenectady delivers sub-state-average rents with honest income levels—ideal if you're relocating without high-wage employment lined up or seeking maximum affordability. However, renters considering ownership should budget carefully: mortgage costs jump 4+ percentage points, and median incomes lag wealthier Capital Region counties like Saratoga and Rensselaer.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Schenectady County

via IncomeByCounty

Schenectady's income slightly above national

Schenectady County's median household income of $76,989 edges past the national median of $74,755 by just 3%, positioning it near the U.S. average. The per capita income of $41,529 closely matches the national baseline, reflecting steady but not exceptional earning power.

Just above New York state average

Schenectady's median household income of $76,989 marginally exceeds the state average of $76,433 by $556, ranking it in the middle of New York's 62 counties. The per capita income of $41,529 slightly outpaces the state average of $41,133.

Mid-range income among regional peers

Schenectady's $76,989 median household income ranks fifth among these eight counties, ahead only of Schoharie ($71,188) and Schuyler ($65,625). The county falls well behind high-income leaders like Rockland and Saratoga but exceeds the lowest-income rural counties in this group.

Affordable housing supports family budgets

Schenectady residents allocate just 18.1% of income to rent, well below both recommended guidelines and this region's higher-income counties. The median home value of $223,100 makes homeownership genuinely accessible, with mortgages typically consuming 22-26% of household income.

Build savings with Schenectady's affordable housing

Schenectady households earning $76,989 should prioritize establishing emergency savings covering 3-6 months of expenses before aggressive investing. With affordable housing and near-average income, contribute steadily to 401(k)s and IRAs, take advantage of any employer matching, and consider low-cost index funds for long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Schenectady County

via HealthByCounty

Schenectady trails national health average

Schenectady County's 77.1-year life expectancy falls 2.3 years below the U.S. average of 75.4 years, while a 13.3% poor/fair health rate runs below the national average of 16%. The county shows mixed health signals: lower chronic disease rates but shorter overall life expectancy.

Schenectady slightly behind state average

At 77.1 years, Schenectady's life expectancy trails New York's average of 77.9 years by 0.8 years, ranking below most state peers. Its 4.5% uninsured rate beats the state average of 5.3%, but overall health outcomes suggest room for improvement.

Schenectady lags in Capital Region rankings

Schenectady's 77.1-year life expectancy ranks below neighboring Saratoga (80.3) and Rensselaer (77.8), making it the weakest performer in the Capital Region. However, its strong provider base—80 primary care and 285 mental health providers per 100,000—offers potential to improve outcomes.

Providers available, outcomes lag behind

Schenectady has 80 primary care and 285 mental health providers per 100,000—among the best supply in this analysis—yet life expectancy remains below state and peer averages. This gap suggests barriers to care access, health literacy challenges, or socioeconomic factors limiting effective use of available providers.

Bridge coverage gaps in Schenectady

With 4.5% of residents uninsured and life expectancy below state averages, ensuring full coverage across the county could improve preventive care access and early intervention. Call 311 or visit ny.gov/health to check eligibility for free or low-cost coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Schenectady County

via RiskByCounty

Schenectady carries low-to-moderate risk

Schenectady County scores 71.28 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and just slightly above the national average. This reflects moderate flooding and tornado exposure without significant seismic or coastal threats. Schenectady's position represents one of the more favorable hazard profiles in the Northeast.

Below-average risk for New York

Schenectady ranks among New York's safer counties with a score of 71.28, just 3% above the state average of 69.42—making it essentially at the state baseline. The county sits in the safer half of New York's 62 counties, well below highest-risk areas like Queens and Richmond. This positioning offers moderate peace of mind within the state context.

Among the safest in Capital Region

Schenectady (71.28) sits nearly tied with Saratoga County (73.03) and well below Rensselaer County (82.16) and Rockland County (88.42). Within the Capital Region and surrounding areas, Schenectady occupies one of the safer positions. This relative advantage reflects fewer acute hazard concentrations compared to adjacent counties.

Flooding and tornadoes pose main threats

Flood risk reaches 82.92, making water inundation Schenectady's primary concern, while tornado risk (70.71) presents a secondary but meaningful hazard. Earthquake and wildfire risks remain relatively modest for the region. Seasonal flooding and spring storm preparedness should anchor your hazard planning.

Flood insurance is your priority

With flood risk at 82.92, NFIP or private flood insurance is recommended, especially for residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas. Standard homeowners policies exclude water damage, so closing this gap is essential. Review your coverage with an agent to ensure adequate flood protection before the next heavy rainfall season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.