Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 72,528 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 41.9 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 35.5% | 16.2% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.2% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 18.3% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $579,771 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 42.1% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 33.2% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 38.6 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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