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Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Cost of living in Schenectady County, NY

Part of the Albany Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,518/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 159,603 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,230 35%
Federal tax $616 18%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $404 11%
Transport $320 9%
Energy $208 6%
State tax $205 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Schenectady County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,074
per month
1 bedroom
$1,230
per month
2 bedroom
$1,487
per month
3 bedroom
$1,792
per month
4 bedroom
$1,971
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Schenectady County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$76,989
per year
Individual earnings
$47,692
per year
Per capita
$41,529
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Schenectady County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$223,100
Annual property tax
$5,486

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Schenectady County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 23.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$68
per month
Annual total
$2,496
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Schenectady County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Schenectady County

State and local tax rates for New York.

State income tax
10.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
8.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Schenectady County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.8 min
Drive alone
72.2%
Public transit
3.5%
Work from home
12.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Schenectady County

What it costs to live in Schenectady County each month.

Single person
$3,518
per month
  • Rent $1,230
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $616
  • State tax $205
Couple
$5,024
per month
  • Rent $1,487
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $930
  • State tax $339
Family
$7,534
per month
  • Rent $1,792
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $930
  • State tax $339

Frequently asked questions about Schenectady County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Schenectady County?

In Schenectady County, NY, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,230 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,487 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,792 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Schenectady County?

In Schenectady County, NY, the average household income is $76,989 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $47,692 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Schenectady County?

The estimated cost of living in Schenectady County, NY is approximately $3,518 per month for a single person, $5,024 for a couple, $7,534 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Schenectady County?

The combined sales tax rate in Schenectady County, NY is 8.52%, which includes the New York state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 4.52%.

Is Schenectady County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Schenectady County, NY would need approximately $3,518 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $76,989 per year ($6,416 per month). Schenectady County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Schenectady County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Schenectady County, NY is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Schenectady County?

The average home value in Schenectady County, NY is $223,100, with average annual property taxes of $5,486, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Schenectady County compare to other areas?

You can compare Schenectady County, NY with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Schenectady County is in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area.

Other counties in New York

Browse the full list of counties in New York, ranked by cost of living.

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Compare Schenectady County with another area

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About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources