Dothan AL 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)
Dothan, AL
Alabama · Population: 71,118
- Median HH Income$55,052
- Median Home Price$205,339
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Dothan
71,118
Dothan +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Dothan +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 28,542 | Dothan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 42.3 | Dothan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 56.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 35.6% | 3.1% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $321,835 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.9% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.2 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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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