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City · 68,847 residents · Schenectady County, New York

Schenectady , New York

In Schenectady, a typical home is worth $168,800 and typical rent is $1,145 a month. Compared with all of Schenectady County, the typical home value is 28% lower, typical household income is 27% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 18 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $168,800

    28% below the county

    60% below New York

    • Schenectady
    • County
    • New York

  • Typical rent

    $1,145a month

    4% below the county

    29% below New York

    • Schenectady
    • County
    • New York

  • Typical household income

    $58,399a year

    27% below the county

    32% below New York

    • Schenectady
    • County
    • New York

  • Households that own their home

    46%

    18 points below the county

    9 points below New York

    • Schenectady
    • County
    • New York

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$331,463
5.1% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,517 a month
2.6% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Schenectady is in Schenectady County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Schenectady County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Schenectady apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 46% of households in Schenectady own their home, against 64% in Schenectady County.

  2. The typical home in Schenectady is worth $168,800, 28% less than in Schenectady County as a whole ($235,700).

  3. The typical household income in Schenectady is $58,399, 27% less than in Schenectady County as a whole ($79,623).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Schenectady

What homes there are in Schenectady, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Homes in Schenectady are varied: detached houses are the largest group, at 39%, against 60% in Schenectady County.

Year built

Homes in Schenectady are older: the typical year built is 1941; in Schenectady County, 1956.

Homes in Schenectady are smaller: 50% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Schenectady County, 60%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The FHA limit for Schenectady County is high ($541,287): at least 97% of owner-occupied homes in Schenectady are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

By rent, most homes in Schenectady cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,711): about 85%.

With a mortgage

$1,596 a month

Schenectady County: $1,875 a month

Without a mortgage

$676 a month

Schenectady County: $756 a month

Owners with a mortgage

61%

Schenectady County: 63%

In Schenectady, 61% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,596 a month, against $1,875 in Schenectady County. Without one it drops to $676.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, homes in Schenectady gained value faster than in Schenectady County: 55% against 39%.

The typical rent in Schenectady rose 27% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Schenectady County (26%).

To compare: typical income in Schenectady rose 29%; the home, +55%; the rent, +27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureSchenectadySchenectady CountyNew YorkUnited States
Rental vacancy 3.9%4.5%3.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.0%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room 3.1%1.8%5.3%3.4%
People per household 2.222.322.492.53
Drive alone 67%71%49%69%
Carpool 10%8%6%9%
Public transit 7%3%22%3%
Walk or bike 5%3%6%3%
Work from home 11%14%15%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Schenectady County, the rental vacancy rate in Schenectady is 3.9%.

In Schenectady, 3.1% of households live with more than one person per room, against 1.8% in Schenectady County.

By size, households in Schenectady look like those in Schenectady County: 2.22 people on average.

In Schenectady, 7% of workers get to work by public transit; in Schenectady County, 3%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Schenectady?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Schenectady, worth $168,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 34% of the typical household income in Schenectady, which is $58,399 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $71,756 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Schenectady County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Schenectady. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,908 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,674

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$165,743
Total interest
$238,465
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,851 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,363 a month

  • Tight

    $1,363 to $1,752 a month

    Your payment · 34%

  • Hard

    more than $1,752 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Schenectady ($58,399 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,674
Principal & interest$1,123
Property tax$407
Home insurance$70
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$75

You need at least $5,908 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Schenectady and Schenectady County

Schenectady is in Schenectady County, New York. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Schenectady's own numbers

Typical home value
$168,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,145
Typical yearly household income
$58,399
Households that own their home
46%
Effective property tax rate
2.89%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Schenectady County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,711
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+57%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.6%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Schenectady County.

Everything about Schenectady County

Buying

Buying a home in Schenectady

A typical home in Schenectady is worth $168,800: 28% below the county and 60% below New York. With the typical household income in Schenectady ($58,399 a year), a typical home costs 2.9 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Schenectady 2.9 years
  • County 3.0 years
  • New York 4.9 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Schenectady County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Schenectady County rose 80% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Schenectady County.

Period County New York U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.2% +6.0% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +57% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +80% +86% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Schenectady next to Schenectady County, New York and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Schenectady $168,800
  • County $235,700
  • New York $423,800
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Schenectady $1,145
  • County $1,194
  • New York $1,621
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Schenectady $58,399
  • County $79,623
  • New York $85,974
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Schenectady next to Schenectady County and New York
Measure Schenectady Schenectady County New York U.S.
Typical home value $168,800 $235,700 $423,800 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,145 $1,194 $1,621 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $58,399 $79,623 $85,974 $80,734
Households that own their home 46% 64% 54% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,874 $5,568 $6,582 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.89% 2.36% 1.55% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 58% 54% 52% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Schenectady County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Schenectady

For a typical $168,800 home in Schenectady, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Schenectady's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,674a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,908
    Cash to close
    $10,972
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $75

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,643a month

    Down payment
    $8,440
    Cash to close
    $13,504
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $80

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,392a month

    Down payment
    $33,760
    Cash to close
    $38,824
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,548a month

    Down payment
    $25,320
    Cash to close
    $30,384
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Schenectady and for Schenectady County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Schenectady

2.89%of the home’s value each year

$4,874 a year for the typical owner in Schenectady.

  • Schenectady 2.89%
  • County 2.36%
  • New York 1.55%

What New York publishes Basic STAR school tax relief (New York State Department of Taxation and Finance)

Exemptions and deadlines in New York

Flood risk in Schenectady County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Schenectady County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.6%
305
Of those, with NFIP insurance
39%
County New York U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.6% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 39% 76% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Schenectady

Typical rent in Schenectady is $1,145 a month: 4% below the county. In Schenectady, 58% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Schenectady County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,711 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $32.90 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Schenectady County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,238 $23.81 $49,520
1 bedroom $1,425 $27.40 $57,000
2 bedrooms $1,711 $32.90 $68,440
3 bedrooms $2,039 $39.21 $81,560
4 bedrooms $2,249 $43.25 $89,960

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Schenectady

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Schenectady has 4 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,540 in 12304 to $1,580 in 12308.

None is above the fair market rent for Schenectady County ($1,711).

  • 12304 $1,540$1,840
  • 12305 $1,540$1,840
  • 12307 $1,540$1,840
  • 12308 $1,580$1,880

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Schenectady when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Schenectady

HUD lists 13 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Schenectady. These are the largest.

  • Downtown 375 Broadway, Schenectady 12305 416 homes, 414 low-income · Run by Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority · Average payment: $403 a month · Average wait: 48 months · Homes at several sites (518) 386-7000
  • Eastside 133 Steinmetz Homes, Schenectady 12304 306 homes, 302 low-income · Run by Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority · Average payment: $515 a month · Average wait: 54 months · Homes at several sites (518) 386-7000
  • Southgate Apts 185 Frank St, Schenectady 12304 292 homes, 269 low-income · For families (518) 374-9797
  • State Hulett Nsa 799 Albany St, Schenectady 12307 105 homes, 104 low-income · For older adults (518) 346-7052
  • Hillside View Apts 602 Craig St, Schenectady 12307 58 low-income homes · Studio: 10 · 1 bd: 26 · 2 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2018 · For people with disabilities

See all 18 buildings in Schenectady County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Schenectady

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Schenectady County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A man shakes hands with the specialist who helped him with his loan, in the kitchen of his new home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Schenectady

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Schenectady or Schenectady County. The ones below are statewide in New York: they work in Schenectady the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in New York

Housing counselors near Schenectady

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Schenectady, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • BETTER COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS, INC. (formerly Better Neighborhoods, Inc.)

    816 Union St, Schenectady · 1 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 4 more
    (518) 372-7616

  • Albany County Rural Housing Alliance, Inc.

    24 Martin Rd, Voorheesville · 11 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 5 more
    (518) 765-2425

  • Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program

    415 River St Ste 2, Troy · 13 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (518) 690-0020

Every agency in Schenectady County All counseling agencies in New York

Help in Spanish near Schenectady

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Schenectady

HUD’s record names them for Schenectady or Schenectady County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (518) 386-7000

All housing agencies in New York Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Schenectady County

These cities are also in Schenectady County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Schenectady County Housing in New York

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Schenectady, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Schenectady County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Schenectady.

All guides
A family walks a boardwalk trail in the forest; one of them uses a wheelchair.

Questions

Housing questions about Schenectady

Short answers with the numbers for Schenectady and all of Schenectady County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Schenectady?

The typical home value in Schenectady is $168,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Schenectady County it is $235,700.

How much does it cost to rent in Schenectady?

Typical rent in Schenectady is $1,145 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Schenectady County is $1,711.

What is the FHA loan limit in Schenectady?

Schenectady uses the FHA limit for all of Schenectady County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Schenectady?

The typical homeowner in Schenectady pays $4,874 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.89% of the home’s value; in Schenectady County, the rate is 2.36%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Schenectady?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Schenectady County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).