Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Mount Vernon +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 72,528 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.9 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 11.7% | 16.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Black | 76.8% | 60.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $579,771 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 42.1% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
1736
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 38.6 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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