Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 72,528 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.9 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 35.5% | 16.2% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 35.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $579,771 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 42.1% | Mount Vernon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 38.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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