Ann Arbor MI 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)

Ann Arbor, MI

Michigan · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$531,674
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
86.7%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
$62,931
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
2.3%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
58.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
57.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Schenectady
1736

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Schenectady
16.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Schenectady
26.2 min

Which City is Right for You?

Schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Ann Arbor & Schenectady