Performance
Score Breakdown
Coeur d’Alene
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Coeur d’Alene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Coeur d’Alene's average rent is
23% higher than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Coeur d’Alene | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,425 | +23% |
| Groceries | $450 | $442 | +2% |
| Utilities | $200 | $323 | -38% |
| Transport | $120 | $899 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,770 | $3,089 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Coeur d’Alene offers 12% higher 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 Coeur d’Alene is estimated at
$72,000 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Coeur d’Alene | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,357 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $72,338 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Coeur d’Alene | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schenectady has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Coeur d’Alene.
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 | Coeur d’Alene | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Schenectady is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Coeur d’Alene.
From a growth perspective, Coeur d’Alene is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Coeur d’Alene has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Coeur d’Alene | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,785 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Coeur d’Alene
Advantages
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities centered around Lake Coeur d'Alene and surrounding mountains
Strong and diversifying economy with significant job growth in sectors like healthcare, tourism, and technology
High quality of life and community atmosphere, often rated highly
Well-regarded healthcare system anchored by Kootenai Health
Scenic natural beauty contributing to a desirable lifestyle
Drawbacks
Housing costs, both for rent and home purchase, are significantly above the national average
Car dependency due to limited public transit and moderate walkability scores
Traffic can be a concern during peak tourist seasons
Economic reliance on tourism can lead to seasonal fluctuations
Cost of living is generally higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses
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.
Coeur d’Alene
#6Idaho, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
85
Business
75
Schenectady
#68New 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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