If you are transferring in October, I am not sure you need to worry about short sleeves. in NY. Think more like peacoat.
The BAH is likely higher, but BAH follows housing costs, so expect equal percentages. Ballston Spa looks like about $833/mo without dependents. SCAR is $805/mo without dependents.
I would suspect that they are run pretty much the same. Talking to a few folks at my command who just came from there they say that training, qualification, and all that are pretty much standardized. Same shift work, same schedule.
I will say that if you are planning to spend Oct-April/May in Ballston Spa, I hope you like snow and cold
