Montgomery 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 28,542 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.3 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 27.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 63.0% | 3.1% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.0% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 4.7% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $321,835 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, 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
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.2 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery 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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