City Comparison
Manaus vs Schenectady
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manaus scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manaus
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manaus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
68% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manaus's average rent is
55% lower than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Manaus | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $645 | $1,425 | -55% |
| Groceries | $195 | $442 | -56% |
| Utilities | $122 | $323 | -62% |
| Transport | $40 | $899 | -96% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,002 | $3,089 | -68% |
| Cost Index | 25 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 99% 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 Manaus is estimated at
$1,263 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Manaus | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $529 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $1,263 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,116 idx | 55,933 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manaus runs warmer on average — a 81.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manaus comes out ahead with 122 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manaus sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manaus | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 76.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 91.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 122 | |
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manaus has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Schenectady.
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 | Manaus | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manaus is the larger city
— approximately 35.7x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Manaus 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 | Manaus | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,459,000 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.65% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | |
| Unemployment | 5.97% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manaus
Advantages
Manaus is a strategic access point to Brazil's market due to its Free Trade Zone, offering significant tax incentives for businesses.
The city is a major hub for scientific studies and innovation in the Amazon region, particularly in bioeconomy and sustainable development.
Manaus offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many global cities, with affordable housing and food prices.
The city serves as the primary gateway for Amazon river cruises and jungle tours, providing unique ecotourism opportunities.
Manaus boasts a rich cultural heritage with iconic landmarks like the Teatro Amazonas and vibrant local markets.
Drawbacks
Manaus has a high perceived level of crime, with concerns about petty theft, phone snatching, and robberies.
Safety walking alone at night is perceived as very low in Manaus.
Health preparation for Manaus is stricter than for coastal Brazilian destinations, requiring specific vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis.
Public transportation can be challenging for visitors unfamiliar with the city, especially at night.
The median after-tax salary in Manaus is relatively low, at $505, which may limit purchasing power for some 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.
Manaus
#21Amazonas, Brazil
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$645
Avg Salary
$529
Cost Index
25
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
122/yr
Avg Temp
81.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.65%
Unemployment
5.97%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
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