Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 72,528 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 41.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 54.8% | 16.2% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $77,171 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $42,158 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 35.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Mount Vernon +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $579,771 | Mount Vernon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 42.1% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
12.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.8% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 38.6 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while mount Vernon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $579,771. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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