Huntsville 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 28,542 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.3 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 58.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 29.7% | 3.1% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $321,835 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.5% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.2% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, 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
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville 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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