Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- 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
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
86.7%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 28,542 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 86.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
$62,931
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
2.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
58.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $100,485 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $62,931 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 58.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 38.6% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.3% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.2% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.7% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.9% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 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, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA