Albany GA vs Schenectady NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Albany +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Albany
18.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 28,542 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 18.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 76.3% | 3.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $321,835 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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