Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 72,528 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 53.3% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 35.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $579,771 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 42.1% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 38.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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