Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 72,528 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 39.1% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 18.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $42,158 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 35.0% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $579,771 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 42.1% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
12.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.2% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.3% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.8% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Chicago +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 38.6 min | Chicago + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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