How much does it cost to rent in Schenectady, NY?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Schenectady, NY is $1,489. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Schenectady cheaper than other New York cities?

Schenectady is among the more affordable cities in New York, ranking #101 out of 126 cities at $1,489/mo.

When was Schenectady rent data last updated?

Schenectady rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NY

Schenectady

Name: Average Rent Prices in Schenectady, NY
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 68,847·101st most expensive in New York·Rental market data updated monthly for Schenectady, NY

Median rent (all units)

$1,489/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.7%

Month-over-Month

-0.4%

vs US Median

-$476

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Schenectady · $1,489

More affordable than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Schenectady's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,489/mo

Expected by trend

$1,608/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Schenectady's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,023

1 BR

$1,165

2 BR

$1,412

3 BR

$1,702

4 BR+

$1,873

Research median

$1,412/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$17,868/yr

At $1,489/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.7% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Schenectady, NY is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

68,847

Median income

$58,399

Median age

36.1

Renters

54.4%

Age distribution

19.9%

28.5%

24.2%

12.3%

15.1%

Under 1819.9%

18–3428.5%

35–5424.2%

55–6412.3%

65+15.1%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

49.2%

19.8%

12.7%

12.2%

White49.2%

Black19.8%

Hispanic12.7%

Asian6.1%

Other12.2%

Education (25+)

14.3%

29.2%

31.1%

25.4%

No HS diploma14.3%

HS diploma29.2%

Some college31.1%

Bachelor's+25.4%

Housing tenure

45.6%

54.4%

Owner45.6%

Renter54.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Schenectady, NY has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,140 → $1,489

up 30.6%

Income

$50,237 → $58,399

up 16.2%

Population

66,809 → 68,847

up 3.1%

Renter share

54.3% → 54.4%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

22.8% → 25.4%

+2.6 pts

Median age

36.8 → 36.1

-0.7 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Schenectady, NY has climbed from $1,140 to $1,489, a 30.6% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $50,237 in 2021 to $58,399 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 3.1% since 2021, moving from about 66,809 residents to roughly 68,847. College-educated residents now make up 25.4% of adults here, versus 22.8% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Schenectady, NY market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Schenectady

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View Schenectady rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Schenectady on your salary?

At $1,489/mo, how Schenectady rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $107,707/yr · Rent = 16.6% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $76,471/yr · Rent = 23.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $88,088/yr · Rent = 20.3% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $157,445/yr · Rent = 11.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $201,176/yr · Rent = 8.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $71,603/yr · Rent = 25% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $64,649/yr · Rent = 27.6% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $79,686/yr · Rent = 22.4% income

affordable

By apartment size

Schenectady rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Schenectady. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Schenectady

About renting in Schenectady, NY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Schenectady is $1,489/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,023/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,412/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,165/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,702/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($58,399/yr), Schenectady ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Schenectady an affordable city for renters?

Schenectady is considered moderate for renters. At $1,489/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($58,399/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Schenectady slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Schenectady?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,489/mo in Schenectady. The local median household income is $58,399/yr, meaning the typical Schenectady household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Schenectady?

Rent in Schenectady has decreased 0.7% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Schenectady neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Schenectady are 12305 ($1,253/mo), 12308 ($1,322/mo), and 12303 ($1,544/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Schenectady is $1,489/mo.

How does Schenectady rent compare to other cities in New York?

Schenectady is one of the more affordable cities in New York for rent, ranking #101 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,489/mo.

What percentage of Schenectady residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 54.4% of Schenectady households are renters, while 45.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Schenectady has a strong rental market.

How does Schenectady rent compare to the national average?

Schenectady's median rent of $1,489/mo is $476 (24%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New York, it ranks #101 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

31%

MODERATE

At $1,489/mo, rent takes ~31% of Schenectady's median household income ($58,399/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Schenectady 31%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4–10.9%

Run the Schenectady affordability calculator →

Nearby cities