Buffalo 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 72,528 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.9 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 45.4% | 16.2% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $579,771 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 42.1% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Mount Vernon
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Mount Vernon
1736
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, 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
Buffalo
38.4%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.6% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, 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
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 38.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. 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, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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