City Comparison
Ushuaia vs Schenectady
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, Argentina
View Ushuaia profile #9 in Argentina
77
Overall Score
VS
Ushuaia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ushuaia
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ushuaia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ushuaia's average rent is
47% lower than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Ushuaia | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,425 | -47% |
| Groceries | $400 | $442 | -10% |
| Utilities | $120 | $323 | -63% |
| Transport | $60 | $899 | -93% |
| Healthcare | $31 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,361 | $3,089 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 46 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 100% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ushuaia is estimated at
$2,500 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Ushuaia | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $2,500 | $70,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ushuaia runs warmer on average — a 41.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ushuaia comes out ahead with 148 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ushuaia sees 106.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ushuaia | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 41.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 39.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 106.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 148 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ushuaia 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, Ushuaia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ushuaia | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 15.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 80.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ushuaia is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Ushuaia 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 | Ushuaia | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,606 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.87% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 7.15% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ushuaia
Advantages
Ushuaia offers unparalleled access to natural beauty and outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and Beagle Channel excursions.
The city has a very high safety index, contributing to a secure living environment.
Ushuaia's population has experienced a significant growth rate of 2.87% in the last year, indicating dynamism.
The city center is highly walkable, providing convenient access to amenities.
Healthcare quality is rated as high, with comprehensive infrastructure available.
Drawbacks
Rental prices in Ushuaia are high due to limited supply and increasing demand.
Public transportation options are limited, potentially leading to higher car dependency.
Average salaries reported are relatively low compared to the cost of living and national GDP per capita.
The remote location can lead to higher costs for certain goods and services.
Finding long-term accommodation can be challenging due to high demand and a market that often favors short-term rentals.
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.
Ushuaia
#9Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, Argentina
77.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
46
Commute
min
Transit Score
15.0/100
Walkability
80.0/100
Sunny Days
148/yr
Avg Temp
41.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.87%
Unemployment
7.15%
Livability
78
Business
65
Schenectady
#606New York, USA
33.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
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