City Comparison
Calgary vs Schenectady
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Calgary scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Calgary
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Calgary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Calgary's average rent is
17% lower than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Calgary | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,177 | $1,425 | -17% |
| Groceries | $268 | $442 | -39% |
| Utilities | $125 | $323 | -61% |
| Transport | $90 | $899 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,731 | $3,089 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Calgary delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Calgary is estimated at
$46,129 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Calgary | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,505 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $46,129 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 82,315 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $69,893 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Calgary | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schenectady has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Calgary.
Calgary 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 | Calgary | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 125.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Calgary is the larger city
— approximately 23.2x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Calgary is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Calgary | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,600,000 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.53% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Calgary
Advantages
Calgary has a high median household after-tax income compared to other major Canadian cities, at $107,400 CAD (2021 Census).
The city's Crime Severity Index fell to a near historic low of 61.7 in 2025, well below the national average.
Calgary's tech ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth, expanding at four times the Canadian average since 2021.
Alberta has the lowest provincial tax rate nationally, with no provincial sales tax or land transfer tax, making everyday purchases and homeownership more affordable.
Calgary offers a high quality of life, with 78% of residents rating it as good or excellent in 2025.
Drawbacks
Despite overall safety, property crime remains a significant concern in Calgary, with 51,999 incidents in 2025.
Calgary is largely a car-dependent city, with an average Walk Score of 39, indicating that most errands require a car.
The unemployment rate in Calgary was 6.8% in December 2025, which, while improved, remains a factor for job seekers.
Only 10% of Calgarians live within walking distance of fast and frequent public transit service, limiting car-free convenience.
Rising housing costs, including rent and home purchase prices, continue to be an important consideration for residents.
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.
Calgary
#5Alberta, Canada
76.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,177
Avg Salary
$53,505
Cost Index
65
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.53%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
78
Business
80
Schenectady
#164New York, USA
38.1 / 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 Calgary and Schenectady.
Open Cost Calculator