City Comparison
Windsor vs Schenectady
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Windsor scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Windsor
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Windsor is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Windsor's average rent is
25% lower than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Windsor | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,075 | $1,425 | -25% |
| Groceries | $313 | $442 | -29% |
| Utilities | $176 | $323 | -46% |
| Transport | $63 | $899 | -93% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,727 | $3,089 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 16% 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 Windsor is estimated at
$42,600 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Windsor | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,605 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $42,600 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,058 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $50,190 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Windsor | 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
Windsor 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 | Windsor | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Windsor is the larger city
— approximately 3.3x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Windsor 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 | Windsor | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,660 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.20% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 7.60% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Windsor
Advantages
Median rent of $1,074.78 USD (August 2026) is more affordable than many other major Canadian cities.
Windsor's economy added 6,000 jobs in July 2026, indicating positive employment growth.
Windsor Regional Hospital holds "Accreditation with Exemplary Standing," the highest possible rating for quality patient care [cite: 21, 22 in previous turn].
Overall crime rates in Windsor decreased by 15% in July 2026 compared to the previous year [cite: 28 in previous turn].
Significant investment in the electric vehicle (EV) battery plant and automotive sector is driving economic development [cite: 34 in previous turn, 44 in previous turn].
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Windsor was 7.6% in July 2026, which is higher than the national and provincial averages.
Windsor's economy is highly concentrated in the automotive industry, making it vulnerable to trade conflicts and tariffs [cite: 42 in previous turn, 44 in previous turn].
Public perception of crime in Windsor is higher than statistical data suggests, potentially impacting residents' sense of safety [cite: 42 in previous turn].
The labor force participation rate in Windsor has been declining, contrasting with growing rates in Ontario and Canada.
Forecasted economic growth for Windsor in 2026 is slower (0.6%) due to tariffs and uncertainties [cite: 44 in previous turn].
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.
Windsor
#24Ontario, Canada
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,075
Avg Salary
$46,605
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
38.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.20%
Unemployment
7.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Schenectady
#165New 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 Windsor and Schenectady.
Open Cost Calculator