Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 72,528 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.9 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 25.0% | 16.2% | Memphis + |
| Black | 62.9% | 60.4% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $579,771 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 38.6 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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