Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 72,528 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 41.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 57.6% | 16.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 35.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $579,771 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 42.1% | Mount Vernon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mount Vernon
12.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 38.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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