Schenectady NY vs Tuscaloosa AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Schenectady
28,542
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| White | 86.7% | 49.6% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.6% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $48,536 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $31,324 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 7.0% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 23.8% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 38.1% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 45.1% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 42.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.3% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa 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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