Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 28,542 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.3 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 6.8% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 46.9% | 3.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.0% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 4.7% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Schenectady
$62,931
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $62,931 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 38.6% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.2% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.9% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Atlanta 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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