Albany NY vs Mount Vernon NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 72,528 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 41.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 53.0% | 16.2% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 35.0% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $579,771 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 42.1% | Mount Vernon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Mount Vernon
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Mount Vernon
1736
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Mount Vernon
12.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.8% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 38.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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