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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Schenectady, NY vs Buffalo, NY

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Buffalo spends 26.3% more per capita than Schenectady ($15,895/person difference). Buffalo, NY has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 57/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Schenectady, NY
Pop. 68,476
D
47/100
Budget Balance28
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Buffalo, NY
Pop. 276,688
C
57/100
Budget Balance28
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Schenectady
Buffalo
Total Spending
$3.0B
$16.7B
Spending / Capita
$44,459
$60,354
Total Revenue
$885.6M
$3.8B
Revenue / Capita
$12,933
$13,649
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
68,476
276,688
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Schenectady$2,839
Buffalo$0
Fire Protection
Schenectady$406
Buffalo$306
Highways & Roads
Schenectady$440
Buffalo$432
Parks & Recreation
Schenectady$122
Buffalo$410
Education
Schenectady$0
Buffalo$39,263
Health
Schenectady$899
Buffalo$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

SchenectadyBuffalo
Sales Tax
$64
$252
Income Tax
$26
$898
Intergovernmental
$12,933
$840
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,679
Other
$4,840
$2,952

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

SchenectadyBuffalo
Police
$2,839
$0
Fire Protection
$406
$306
Highways & Roads
$440
$432
Education
$0
$39,263
Public Welfare
$1,436
$1,112
Health
$899
$0
Hospitals
$34
$0
Parks & Recreation
$122
$410
Housing
$778
$3,491
Sewerage
$0
$189
Utilities
$9,610
$3,425
Interest on Debt
$47
$0
Other
$27,849
$11,726
D
Schenectady, NY
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Buffalo, NY
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health

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