City Comparison
Schenectady vs Moncton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Moncton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Schenectady
Moncton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moncton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
129% higher compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Schenectady's average rent is
72% higher than Moncton's.
| Metric | Schenectady | Moncton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,425 | $829 | +72% |
| Groceries | $442 | $258 | +71% |
| Utilities | $323 | $207 | +56% |
| Transport | $899 | $52 | +1629% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,089 | $1,346 | +129% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 63 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 69% 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 Schenectady is estimated at
$70,000 vs $37,259 in Moncton.
| Metric | Schenectady | Moncton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,374 | $32,764 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $37,259 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,933 idx | 52,006 idx |
| Household Income | $58,399 | $48,280 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Schenectady | Moncton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moncton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 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 | Schenectady | Moncton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Moncton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Moncton 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 | Schenectady | Moncton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,847 | 102,378 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 3.70% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 9.10% |
| GDP | $11.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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].
Moncton
Advantages
Moncton boasts an affordable cost of living compared to larger Canadian cities.
The city has a strong and growing economy with diverse job opportunities.
Moncton is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong community ties.
Its central location in the Maritimes makes it a strategic hub for transportation and business.
The average commute time in Moncton is relatively short, at 14.7 minutes.
Drawbacks
Access to a family doctor can be challenging, reflecting a broader issue in New Brunswick.
The city experiences harsh winters with significant snow and cold temperatures.
Public transportation options are considered limited compared to larger cities, leading to higher car dependency.
Rapid population growth has led to housing supply strain and an affordability crisis, with rising rents and home prices.
Moncton has seen increases in its crime rate and violent crime severity index in recent years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Moncton
#8New Brunswick, Canada
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$829
Avg Salary
$32,764
Cost Index
63
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.70%
Unemployment
9.10%
Livability
79
Business
80
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Schenectady and Moncton.
Open Cost Calculator