Mobile 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)
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 28,542 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.3 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 39.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 52.9% | 3.1% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $321,835 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.2% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, 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
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 26.2 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile 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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